After explaining Feebas's evolution requirements, Wallace immediately took a small velvet box from his pocket.
When he opened it, a shimmering scale lay quietly inside.
The scale emitted a peculiar iridescent glow, its surface seemingly adorned with tiny, swirling starlight, and its color was quite similar to that of Milotic's tail scales.
"This is a scale shed by my Milotic. Let your Feebas carry it. I hope this scale can aid its evolution and witness the moment it blossoms into splendor."
Wallace handed the scale to Lionel, his fingertips gently brushing its surface, his tone full of anticipation.
"Master Wallace, I…" Lionel was about to speak but was interrupted by Wallace.
"Of course, this scale isn't a gift for nothing. I hope that if your Feebas successfully evolves, you can help publicize this matter."
"What do you mean?"
Lionel asked curiously, "Didn't you say before that the Alliance didn't announce its evolution conditions to prevent people from blindly catching and then abandoning Feebas? Why now…"
"You're right." Wallace nodded gently, his tone becoming more serious. "But finding a Feebas with excellent talent and nurturing it into a Milotic, how easy is that?
The apprentices at the Sootopolis Gym haven't been able to successfully raise another one, so after discussing it with Master Juan, I decided to try a different approach."
Wallace paused, then continued:
"When I hosted the Wallace Cup in other regions, I met a lady who was traveling, and she also owned a Milotic.
While chatting with her, she told me that her Milotic had evolved on its own in the wild.
When she was a child, she found an injured Feebas by the sea and encouraged it not to give up, even making a pact with it that when it grew up, she would ride on its back and travel together.
Unexpectedly, this Feebas later truly evolved into a Milotic and actively sought her out.
We've never had a Milotic evolve on its own in the wild in our Hoenn region, but after learning about her experience,
I thought, perhaps this is the most sincere bond between Pokémon and humans. For a promise, it can unleash unexpected power.
So I discussed it with my master, and we plan to officially announce Feebas's evolution news, so more people can learn about it, participate in its nurturing, and together explore the possibilities of raising a Milotic.
Regarding this plan, we have made full preparations:
The Sootopolis City Gym has specifically opened up a brand new sea area to provide a suitable habitat for Feebas.
If anyone cultivates a Feebas and finds it too difficult to continue, wanting to give up, they can send the Feebas to the Sootopolis Gym, and the Gym will purchase it with Pokedollars.
I also mentioned this to Steven, and Devon Corporation will fully assist in this matter."
Wallace looked at Lionel, his eyes shining even brighter: "Originally, this plan was meant to be officially announced at the Grand Festival at the end of the year, but I didn't expect to find you.
Although with the Milotic of myself, Robert, and Master as examples, promoting this plan in the Hoenn region is already convincing enough.
But if we can add the case of you, a new trainer, raising a Milotic, the plan's influence will definitely reach a whole new level!
Moreover, chatting with you today was truly delightful; your philosophy regarding Pokémon perfectly aligns with mine!
I sincerely hope you go further and further on your journey as a trainer and let your own brilliance shine."
After hearing Wallace's words, Lionel thanked him with a heart full of gratitude, then carefully took the precious scale.
Feebas seemed to sense something, stopping its play with Milotic, its gaze, which had been fixed on Milotic's tail fin, suddenly retracted and landed directly on the scale in Lionel's hand.
Its large eyes instantly filled with longing, and even its fins couldn't help but tremble slightly.
Seeing this, Lionel gently placed the scale on Feebas's back.
As soon as the scale touched Feebas's body, a faint white light suddenly emanated from it, soft yet unmistakable, much like the light that appears during evolution.
Lionel's heart skipped a beat, and he instinctively held his breath, even Wallace leaned forward slightly, his gaze fixed on Feebas.
Feebas also seemed to feel something, tilting its head slightly, its purple body appearing even more translucent in the white light.
The Prism Scale on its back seemed to be activated by this light, its iridescence flowing even more brilliantly, intertwining with the white light to form a hazy glow.
Just as Lionel thought evolution was about to happen, the white light suddenly receded, as if it had never appeared.
But strangely, the Prism Scale seemed to have taken root, adhering firmly to Feebas's back, its edges perfectly blending with its own scales, as if it had grown there from the beginning, completely natural.
Feebas shook its head, seemingly a bit confused, and gently slapped the water with its tail, the splashed droplets reflecting tiny colorful lights on the scale.
Wallace watched this scene, a deep surprise flashing in his eyes, and he couldn't help but exclaim:
"Indeed, you've really taken good care of Feebas. It doesn't show the same inferiority and timidity as other Feebas; it's full of confidence. If it were any other Feebas, this scale wouldn't have reacted at all."
Wallace carefully observed the Milotic scale on Feebas's body. Half of its shiny coloration, which had just merged, gradually transformed into Feebas's own purple scales.
Seeing this, Wallace specifically instructed Lionel:
"From the looks of it, this little guy has already accumulated enough energy for evolution. As long as its inherent desire for beauty is slightly stimulated, it will soon fully integrate the scale and evolve."
Lionel looked down at Feebas; the little guy was gently rubbing his hand with its slick head.
Its eyes were pure and clear, clearly delighted by the shiny new decoration on its body.
It stayed there obediently, happily watching Lionel and Wallace converse.
As for the
Feebas only knew that ever since it was captured, its trainer had always praised it as beautiful, cute, smart, and amazing.
Its trainer would also tell it, word for word, the praises others said about it in the live stream videos.
Although Feebas didn't quite understand the meaning of some words, it understood that the general meaning was—
"I, Feebas, am incredibly cute and amazing, and many, many people like me!"
What made Feebas even happier was that its trainer also had a magical ability to emit small Green and white lights.
When those small Green lights landed on its body, it felt warm and comfortable all over, and the small white lights would quietly drill into its mind, imprinting the forms of many skills, making them easy to learn.
Its trainer was the best trainer in the world.
Lionel naturally couldn't guess Feebas's little thoughts. While gently stroking the little guy's head, he said:
"Stimulate the desire for beauty? Then I understand, Master Wallace, I already have an idea. Please be sure to watch my next Pokémon Contest live stream; I will definitely bring you a surprise!"
Hmm, after hearing Lionel's words, Wallace raised an eyebrow:
"Oh, it seems you have some new ideas again. Alright, I'll watch your live stream. I hope it's a big surprise then!"
"It definitely will be, Master Wallace, I am very confident!" Lionel nodded vigorously, his tone full of self-assurance.
Seeing that there was nothing left for it to do, Feebas quickly wagged its tail, turned to Tyrunt, and excitedly chased Milotic's gorgeous tail fin with Tyrunt, playing together.
Wallace looked at the harmonious scene of the three Pokémon playing and then at Lionel, his relief at having a successor growing stronger.
He raised his hand to check the time and said with a smile:
"It's getting late; you two should head back and rest. Prepare well for your upcoming journey. I look forward to seeing your brilliant performance at the Grand Festival in Lilycove City."
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