Early Sunday morning, Eichi headed out with his four Pokémon to train. Heracross was exhausted from yesterday's session and didn't want to get out of bed; Wimpod harbored the same lazy thoughts. However, after witnessing Heracross receive a stern lecture from Eichi, it quickly abandoned any idea of oversleeping.
The training program today remained largely the same as yesterday. Wimpod focused on speed drills, while Beedrill, Scizor, and Heracross performed move training. Once Wimpod finished its speed exercises, it also transitioned into practicing its moves.
Eichi paid particular attention to its training for Metal Claw and Wide Guard. Just like with Aqua Jet yesterday, the initial attempts were quite pathetic. Nevertheless, after a full morning of practice, the progress was remarkably visible.
By noon, the session concluded. Eichi recalled his four Pokémon and prepared to head back for lunch. As he reached the Academy gates, he noticed a familiar figure standing nearby.
Moving closer, he saw a boy with blue hair wearing a black jacket, accompanied by a Skarmory. It was Archie. Eichi walked over and greeted him. "Archie, what are you doing here?"
Hearing someone call his name, Archie turned around. Eichi was standing right there to his left. Having not seen him for several months, Archie noticed Eichi had changed quite a bit; he was taller and even more handsome. He exuded a powerful presence that made him stand out from any crowd.
"Eichi! What a coincidence, I was just coming to find you," Archie said happily.
"Finding me for something specific?" Eichi asked curiously. Realizing the gate wasn't the best place for a long chat, he added, "Tell you what, Archie, let's head to the dorms to talk."
"Sure," Archie replied.
Eichi spoke with the guard, and they headed inside. Upon arriving at the dorm, Eichi led Archie into the living room. Archie looked around at the furnishings with an air of curiosity.
Eichi released his four Pokémon and began preparing their lunch. As soon as Wimpod emerged, it scrambled into the fish tank. Archie looked at Beedrill, Scizor, and Heracross, clicking his tongue in amazement. Archie's family was a lineage of breeders. Although he wasn't a Breeder himself, he had been influenced since childhood and possessed a professional eye.
From their appearance alone, these three Pokémon were exceptionally well-cultivated. Even the most elite Breeders in his own family might only achieve similar results. The Beedrill, in particular, was an eye-opener; he had never seen one like it.
He had heard from his sister that this Beedrill was raised to an incredibly high standard with massive resources invested. However, few people would be willing to pour that much wealth into a Beedrill. Perhaps only a unique individual like Eichi would do such a thing.
After examining Beedrill and Scizor, Archie's eyes landed on Wimpod. He hurried over and pressed his face against the glass of the tank to observe it closely. Sensing a stranger watching, Wimpod quickly swam behind the coral to hide.
As Eichi set out the Pokéblocks and Pokémon food, he asked, "Archie, have you had lunch yet?"
"No," Archie replied while still watching Wimpod. "I just got my Pokémon back from the Pokémon Center after waking up and came straight over. I haven't had time to eat."
Eichi picked up his communicator. "I'll order some takeout then. You should try the food from our Silver Academy."
Eichi ordered two set meals. Once finished, Archie pointed at Wimpod and asked, "Eichi, what kind of Pokémon is that in the tank? I've seen plenty from Hoenn, Sinnoh, Unova, and even distant Kalos, but I've never seen this one before!"
Eichi brought Wimpod its food, and the Pokémon crawled out as soon as it saw the meal. Looking at the happily eating Wimpod, Eichi explained, "It's a Wimpod. It's very cowardly. It's a Bug and Water-type from the Alola region. Don't let its current weakness fool you; its potential is extraordinary. Its evolved form is Golisopod, a very powerful Pokémon."
"Is that so?" Archie asked, sounding a bit uncertain.
"I have no reason to lie to you," Eichi said.
"Then where is the Alola region? I've never heard of it," Archie wondered.
"The Alola region is very far away, even further than Kalos. I only know about it because my teacher visited there," Eichi replied.
He invited Archie to sit in the living room and grabbed two bottles of juice from the fridge. Handing one to Archie, he sat opposite him. "So, Archie, why the sudden visit? And how did you end up in the Johto region?"
Archie twisted the cap off and took a sip. "This Johto juice is pretty good." He then answered Eichi's question with a look of slight embarrassment. "I was doing quite well at the Indigo Academy in Kanto. But then, two people from the Sinnoh region showed up and challenged me to a battle. I thought it was just a normal challenge that would be over quickly. To my surprise, I lost—horribly. I got swept three-to-six. It was pathetic, and the guy was the same age as me! I couldn't swallow my pride; I've never lost to a peer before. Since I wanted to visit Johto anyway, I went to Mount Silver for two weeks of special training. I want to challenge him again and win. I knew you were at Silver Academy, so I came to visit."
On the surface, Archie didn't look like he was lying, but Eichi's sharp intuition told him Archie wasn't telling the whole truth. However, he didn't call him out and simply listened.
Archie did indeed want to see Eichi, but his original plan was to finish his training and show off. However, yesterday he had tried to catch a certain Pokémon. He had been full of confidence, thinking his strongest lineup would suffice. Reality, however, had taught him a harsh lesson; all six of his Pokémon had been easily toyed with and defeated.
Five of them were still recovering at the Pokémon Center and hadn't bounced back yet because the opponent had been so heavy-handed. Only Skarmory's injuries were light enough for it to be out. Bored at the Pokémon Center, Archie remembered Eichi was nearby and decided to visit and tour the Academy. He certainly couldn't tell Eichi the truth—it was too embarrassing.
The delivery arrived soon after, and the two ate. That afternoon, Eichi skipped training to take Archie on a tour of Silver Academy.