Chapter 78

The audience went ballistic as soon as Cynthia stepped on the stage to give Leaf the reward of winning the Pokemon Showdown.

"She has fans everywhere." Riley, who was now standing right behind the girls, with Aizen and Bill, smiled brightly and commented.

"Given that she is beautiful, and is arguably the strongest of the current Champions, it would have been a surprise if she didn't have fans everywhere," Bill said.

"True." Riley nodded and enthusiastically clapped his hands as Leaf received the basket of Evolution Stones with a Swablu Egg from Cynthia. "Leaf has potential."

"Yes." Aizen nodded in agreement. "She's decisive. An important trait."

"I envy you." Riley sighed. "You have so many beautiful ladies as your travelling companions. And there I was, venturing the wild all alone."

"Rio." His companion pointed out.

"Yes, yes, I had you with me, Stein." Riley smiled brightly at his Mega Lucario and patted its shoulder. "But still man, it would have been more fun to have a beautiful lady travelling with us."

"Rio..." Mega Lucario nodded its head in agreement.

"Yearning for a partner, eh?" Bill smirked at the blue-haired boy. "I can form a list of girls who are still waiting on you."

Riley grinned at his words and shook his head.

"I am fine on my own."

"Everyone falls in the pit eventually." Bill confidently said.

"That reminds me, I think I saw Anabel Stone on the ship." Riley put up a thinking pose and said.

As soon as Bill heard the name, the colour drained off his face and he worriedly looked around him.

"You are kidding, right?" He seriously asked after making sure Anabel was not around.

"He's not kidding." Aizen smiled at his friend. "She is the International Police Officer assigned to St. Anne this season. I met her this morning with Officer Jenny."

Seeing their friend fidgeting in worry, both Aizen and Riley started chuckling.

"She's perfect for you, Bill." Anira, who had listened to what they were talking about, turned around and said. "And she really cares about you."

"It is not that I don't like her, Princess." Bill lowered his head. "I have not talked to her in three years, and I am not sure if I can be with her." He honestly voiced his concern.

"Do not worry about Wallace." Anira seriously said. "Anabel likes you, not him. And he knows that. Why do you think he accepted to get engaged to Winona?"

A lot of things had transpired in the three years Bill shut himself up in the Lighthouse. Last year, Wallace Stone, the youngest son of Joseph Stone, had agreed to an engagement with Winona Skyler of one of the branch families of the Arcane House of Stone.

"She's right." Aizen nodded his head in agreement with what Anira said. "If you like her, do not stop yourself from returning her feelings."

The auburn-haired man lowered his head after nodding to their words. The face of his beautiful cousin was always fresh in his mind, but he did not want to jeopardise his relationship with his younger half-brother over Anabel. It was no secret in the family that Wallace liked Anabel, however, it seemed like fate had written her for him.

Bill nodded once more, and determinedly raised his head, making his decision. Seeing the confidence in his eyes, Aizen, Anira, and Riley happily smiled for him.

Bill and Riley excused themselves away as the Award Ceremony came to an end, and followed Cynthia back to the Team.

Leaf was busy for the next hour, taking pictures with some fans that she had gained, and then gave an interview to a journalist. She also received an invitation to the Pokemon Contest that would take place three months later on St. Anne, but she refused it as she would be busy travelling on their journey to the Indigo Conference.

The girl from Pallet Town made a call to her mother as soon as she returned to their Suite, proudly informing her about her victory. Her happiness was truly contagious, as Anira and Misty couldn't resist smiling for their friend and laughing together with her.

Diancie, who had been playing around in their Suite with Rinko, Archie, Pichu, and Togepi, happily hugged the Swablu Egg and congratulated Leaf on her victory after she was done making her call. Rinko, Pichu, and Archie congratulated her too, and Leaf's happiness doubled at seeing everyone happy for her.

She then started showing them the Evolution Stones which were sparklingly beautiful.

Archie was intently looking at the basket of Evolution Stones as he could sense the presence of a Fire Stone inside it.

"Looking for something?" Aizen knowingly smiled.

"Woof!" The orange-puppy happily yelped.

Anira looked at Leaf, and the latter nodded to her friend.

"Here..." The Orayen Princess picked up the sparkling orange-yellow Fire Stone and crouched next to Growlithe.

"Woof!" Archie stared at the stone for a while and then turned to look at Aizen for permission.

"You are more than ready for the evolution, buddy. Go for it." Aizen smiled brightly and gave his permission.

Growlithe stepped forward and tapped its forehead against the Fire Stone in Anira's hand. And as soon as it came in contact with the Evolutionary Stone, the stone shined brightly before enveloping the orange puppy in the same light.

The phenomenon continued for nearly a minute, and when the light subsided, a giant and intimidating Pokemon emerged out of it, making everyone marvel at its magnificence.

"Arcanine is a quadrupedal, canine Pokémon with an orange pelt marked by jagged black stripes. It has diamond-shaped ears with beige insides, black eyes, a round, black nose, and two pointed teeth protruding from its upper jaw. Its head, muzzle, and chest are covered in shaggy, beige fur, except for two oval sections around each eye and ear. Long tufts of fur grow behind its elbows and around its ankles. Its underside is black, and it has a billowing, beige tail that is bent in the middle. Each paw has three toes and a round, pink pad.

Arcanine is a fiercely brave and loyal Pokémon. It is capable of running 6,200 miles (10,000 kilometers) in 24 hours with a speed and grace reminiscent of flight."

"Amazing!" Leaf's eyes sparkled at hearing the description on her Pokedex.

"Winnn" Arcanine proudly puffed its chest, but as soon as Anira giggled and raised her hand to give it pats, it lowered its head and happily yelped.

"Even if you have grown so big, you are still a puppy." She stuck her tongue at it and commented.

"Yay! Now you can give me rides too!" Diancie happily called out and climbed onto Arcanine's back. And the giant puppy had no problems with her request.

Pichu followed her suit and climbed onto its back too, nuzzling its head in its thick mane and lying down on it.

"Veee!" Rinko was happy for his friend and praised it for how magnificent it looked.

Togepi was a little scared at first, but soon realised that it was the Growlithe it was friends with, and curiously started circling it before jumping in Diancie's arms and sitting on its back.

Aizen felt really happy for his Pokemon and came forward to hug it before lovingly running its fingers in his thick mane.

"I am proud of you, Archie."

"Wiinnn.." The giant orange puppy, who was now taller than its Trainer, happily licked his face all over.

The girls laughed at their interaction and one by one stepped forward to congratulate Arcanine on its evolution.

Misty called out Politoed, Leaf called out Pidgeotto, and Aizen called out Wartortle to meet Archie.

The members of the former Squirtle's Squad were extremely happy for their friend. And Wartortle even issued a challenge in advance to Archie for a duel now that he looked so strong and intimidating, and the giant puppy confidently agreed.

"I am going to the Pokemon Center to switch Gloom. She will be happy to meet you and know that I finally have a Sun Stone for her." Leaf excitedly said and ran out of their suite.

"Wiinnn" Archie was looking forward to seeing his friend again as well.

They spent the next few hours in their suite, playing around with their Pokémon, and chatting happily.

Gloom, who was now beautiful Bellossom, had quickly become friends with Diancie and Togepi. She joined the rest of them in playing around for the rest of the afternoon.

Eventually, the sun sank into the sea, and Aizen and the girls left for their rooms to prepare for tonight's Masquerade Ball. It had been a long and happy day, and it was still not over.