Lionel's throat was already parched from the scorching sun, so he readily agreed and followed Marina toward the house.
Along the way, Marina chattered non-stop about her family.
"We grow all kinds of Berries here—ones that love hot climates, like Oran Berries and Pecha Berries… My dad waters them, Mom looks after them, and Grandma's amazing—she knows a million uses for every Berry!"
At this point Marina slowed her steps, tiny hands twisting the hem of her shirt, eyes shining with longing.
"My big brother left on a journey to challenge Gyms; he's already beaten five Gym Leaders and can soon enter the Hoenn League tournament."
"I want to be just like him and challenge Gyms with Marill, but Grandma says I'm still too little…"
Marina kicked a pebble, sounding both wronged and stubborn.
"Grandma says I have to catch a Numel first—Fire plus Ground is perfect against the Electric Pokémon in Mauville City's Gym, so it can help me beat Gym Leader Wattson."
"But I think Marill is super strong too—it already learned Bubble Beam!"
As they spoke, the two reached the center of the house.
The courtyard was wider than expected, paved with flat bluestone and marked in white limestone powder as a regulation battle field—clearly built for Pokémon battles.
A white-haired but spry old lady sat on a bamboo chair under the eaves, fanning herself. Seeing Lionel, her eyes lit up with kindly warmth.
"Another passing Trainer? Come in and sit!" It was Marina's grandmother, Mitsuyo.
"Dad! Mom!"
Marina called out crisply.
The middle-aged man carrying buckets along the ridge turned—her father Haruhiko. Beside him trotted a gray-brown Linoone whose fur gleamed healthily in the sun.
Spotting Lionel, it amiably bobbed its head and tapped its Trainer's arm with a paw.
The man smiled and nodded toward Lionel.
"Hot trip, huh? Come in and rest."
Under the yard's shade a middle-aged woman was bent over a basket of freshly picked Berries—blue Oran, pink Pecha—piled high.
Seeing her daughter bring someone back, she straightened up at once and called warmly,
"A passing Trainer? Come sit! We've cold watermelon inside to beat the heat."
"Grandma, Mom, this is Big-brother Lionel!"
Marina ran to Mitsuyo and her mother Anjie, proudly pointing at the Tyrunt trailing Lionel.
"This Pokémon's amazing—it's called Tyrunt. Just now Marill hit it with Bubble Beam and it didn't even flinch."
Tyrunt seemed to understand the praise; it puffed its chest, strutted on short thick legs, and paraded before Mitsuyo, Haruhiko, and Anjie.
Head held high, it paced with occasional short growls, as if showing off its might.
Haruhiko and Anjie leaned in for a closer look. Tyrunt, not shy in the least, approached each in turn. Haruhiko laughed,
"What a handsome little Pokémon!"
At the compliment Tyrunt gave smug grunts, trotted to Haruhiko's side, and whipped its stubby tail against the ground, flaunting its strength.
Mitsuyo watched, the crow's-feet at her eyes deepening. She lifted her gaze and studied Lionel with a smile.
"Sit, sit. Anjie, bring out some watermelon. Our family loves sparring with passing Trainers; we built this yard just for it."
Fanning slowly, she continued,
"Lots of Trainers used to pass here on their way to Mt. Chimney. That famous dormant volcano still draws plenty with its unique crater. We'd battle them—win and we'd gift some home-grown Berries; lose and we'd share watermelon and chat. Lively times!"
"After word of the Mirage Desert spread, even more travelers came, and the house got busier."
Anjie brought a platter of sliced watermelon—red flesh, black seeds, looking delicious—and added,
"These melons are grown just for travelers. In this heat, nothing beats chilled watermelon!"
Lionel took the icy slice Mitsuyo offered; coolness spread from his fingertips.
He thanked her, glanced at Tyrunt gazing eagerly, and asked,
"Grandma, may my other partners have some too?"
"Of course."
Mitsuyo fanned herself, smile lines crinkling,
"Bring them out—let us meet your cute crew."
Lionel tapped two Poké Balls at his waist; twin red beams released Feebas and Beldum into the yard.
Beldum hovered via Confusion; Feebas spat a water jet to keep itself off the ground.
Mitsuyo and Haruhiko's attention snapped to the floating Beldum. Mitsuyo suddenly squinted.
"This Pokémon… looks familiar."
Haruhiko stepped closer, scrutinizing Beldum, then slapped his thigh in certainty.
"It's exactly like Champion Steven's shiny Beldum! The League special issue said normal ones are blue—only the Champion's is silver-white."
"Champion Steven?!"
Marina's eyes went round; she clutched Lionel's sleeve and shook it excitedly.
"Big-brother Lionel, you actually know Champion Steven? He's the top Trainer in the League—my hero!"
She puffed her small chest and clenched a fist as if declaring her goal: "One day I'll be a Champion Trainer just like him!"
Mitsuyo chuckled while fanning,
"This girl talks about becoming Champion every day; seeing a Pokémon like the Champion's, she can't sit still."
Beldum, shy under the stares, drifted slightly behind Lionel. Anjie quickly offered a watermelon slice,
"Try some? It's really sweet."
Beldum hesitated, then began nibbling the melon through the small hole beside its eye. The family watched, fascinated.
Under their gaze Beldum slowed, red eye showing embarrassment. It stopped altogether, shrinking behind Lionel and peeking out with half an eye.
Seeing this, everyone tactfully stepped back, no longer staring while it ate.
۞۞۞۞
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