Sponsorship

Yuga had speculations regarding the connection between the Sparkling Stone and the Totem Pokémon, and he was anxious to verify it.

However, acquiring the Sparkling Stone was not an easy task. Yuga inquired with Professor Kukui and Principal Samson Oak, but they didn't have the required Sparkling Stone readily available.

However, they promised to assist Yuga in finding a solution, leaving Yuga with no choice but to patiently await the results.

Time flew by, and February arrived.

February in Verdanturf Town was exceptionally beautiful. Due to the implementation of special agricultural and tourism policies, the town transformed into a city of flowers during spring. The streets, residents' doorways and windows, parks - everywhere was adorned with vibrant Beautifly and Dustox dancing gracefully.

This owed much to Yuga providing various flower seeds to everyone.

Alongside the town's prosperity, the Verdanturf Gym also became bustling. The number of challengers increased significantly this year, far more than in previous years. Despite setting challenge restrictions at the Gym, it couldn't curb the enthusiasm of the challengers.

Thankfully, the Gym had a substantial number of Grass-type Pokémon; otherwise, it would be challenging to handle the influx of challengers.

After seeing off three challengers in a row, Yuga rubbed his stiff neck. At that moment, a chatty bird fluttered over, informing him that someone was looking for him at the shop.

Temporarily leaving the Gym under Beidou's watch, Yuga returned to find that Mayor Ishida had arrived, accompanied by another person.

This other individual wasn't unfamiliar to Yuga; he was Mr. Kobayashi, the official in charge of the Verdanturf Town's Pokémon Contest.

"Oh, Mr. Kobayashi is here. I wonder what brings you here today," Yuga inquired with curiosity.

Yuga had dealt with Mr. Kobayashi before as he often used the facilities of the Verdanturf Town Pokémon Contest for various events. Each time, Yuga needed Mr. Kobayashi's approval, and he never gave Yuga a hard time; always readily approving his requests.

Due to the previous Wallace Cup event, the facilities of the Verdanturf Town Pokémon Contest had undergone reconstruction and were now the most luxurious building in the entire town, serving as a landmark for the town. Any major events in Verdanturf Town were usually held there.

However, it was the first time Mr. Kobayashi had come to YoYo Day Care.

"Well... we're here for sponsorship," Mayor Ishida said cheerfully, as he and Yuga were very close, so there was no need for beating around the bush.

Mr. Kobayashi: ...

About to speak, Mr. Kobayashi felt a bit awkward. Mayor Ishida was familiar with Yuga, but he hadn't reached that level of comfort to discuss anything openly with Yuga. He had wanted to be a bit tactful in bringing up the matter, but Mayor Ishida beat him to it.

"Um... that's the matter," Mr. Kobayashi replied with a lack of confidence.

One couldn't blame him for feeling uncertain. While others might use sponsorships for advertising purposes, the current status and reputation of YoYo Day Care made it unnecessary for them to advertise.

He knew that after the incident in Rustboro City, YoYo Day Care's business had skyrocketed, becoming a renowned store.

"Sponsorship? Are you planning to hold an event?" Yuga inquired.

The Verdanturf Town Pokémon Contest often organized various events, such as Bug-catching contests, Fishing tournaments, and the like. These events not only fueled Trainers' enthusiasm but also served as publicity for the Pokémon Contest.

"Indeed, we're planning a Fishing tournament, but we're short on funds and are currently seeking sponsorship," Mr. Kobayashi said, braving the situation.

"I see... a Fishing tournament, huh?" Yuga mused, stroking his chin. "YoYo Day Care can sponsor your event, but my condition is that the event should be grand and exciting."

Upon hearing Yuga's words, Mr. Kobayashi was taken aback. Did he just agree?

Actually, Mr. Kobayashi was mentally prepared for rejection, but he didn't expect Yuga to easily agree. He was a little caught off guard.

''Grand and exciting... Alright, alright! No problem',' Mr. Kobayashi replied in a daze.

In fact, getting sponsorship for the events organized by the Verdanturf Town Pokémon Contest officials was always challenging. Most businesses were reluctant to sponsor such events as the majority of participants were Trainers. Many businesses weren't involved in Trainer-related activities, so they found sponsoring these events less effective than other forms of advertising.

That's why Mr. Kobayashi had personally approached YoYo Day Care this time.

Upon hearing the conversation between Yuga and Mr. Kobayashi, Mayor Ishida, puzzled, asked, 'Wouldn't larger events cost more money? Why do this?'

Upon coming to his senses, Mr. Kobayashi felt the same way.

Events like the Fishing tournament inevitably required many Water-type Pokémon, and each Pokémon meant an expense. Even though participants wouldn't take all the Pokémon they caught, the winners could take their captured Pokémon for free.

Initially, the Fishing tournament was held to address the problem of Water-type Pokémon overpopulating in the certain aquatic areas. Participants could take away all the Pokémon they caught, reducing the pressure on local aquatic environments.

Now, the Fishing tournament had become a pure recreational activity.

Yuga smiled, "But wouldn't a larger event have better advertising effects?"

Both Mayor Ishida and Mr. Kobayashi were puzzled. Was there something at YoYo Day Care that needed publicity?

"Come, let's discuss the Fishing tournament in detail inside," Yuga said, happily leading Mayor Ishida and Mr. Kobayashi into the meeting room.

With the advent of the innovation potion, Yuga was finally able to carry out something he had long planned but couldn't execute before.

After a lengthy conversation in the meeting room, when the door opened again, Mr. Kobayashi left YoYo Day Care feeling a bit woozy.

After seeing off Mayor Ishida and Mr. Kobayashi, Yuga went to the Ecopark because he heard that Wartortle had evolved.

Wartortle had excellent potential, and its level had long reached the stage of evolution, but it had always carried an Everstone.

Yuga had advised it to remove the Everstone, but unfortunately, it was unwilling to do so, for reasons unknown. Unexpectedly, today it finally agreed to remove the Everstone.

Arriving at the Shallow Seashore Sub-Ecopark, Yuga indeed saw a Blastoise by the edge of Lake Island. Its body was partially submerged in the lake, only its head visible outside, seeming a bit shy. Its partner, a Greninja, was nearby.

As Yuga approached, the Blastoise suddenly got startled and swiftly retreated into the water, apparently feeling quite bashful.

Compared to Wartortle, Blastoise looked considerably less appealing. The reason it hid in the water, unwilling to come out, was due to its fear of Greninja rejecting it new apperance, although it had clearly misunderstood.

Yuga asked Greninja about the reason for Wartortle's choice to evolve at this time. Unexpectedly, the usually stoic Greninja also became bashful because it and Blastoise were planning to have offspring.

Watching the birth of new Pokémon in the Ecopark, the couple also had thoughts of nurturing their own offspring.

Though Blastoise was reluctant to evolve, it opted to remove the Everstone for the sake of their child, as Wartortle's condition during pregnancy was not as secure as Blastoise's.

Seeing the loving relationship between Greninja and Blastoise, Poliwrath, not far away, felt sour. Even though it came here at the same time with Wartortle, the latter not only found a partner but was also preparing to have offspring. But what about itself? It really wanted to find a partner...

Poliwrath looked resentfully at Yuga: This Trainer is too unreliable. Doesn't he know how to help his Pokémon with their lifelong issues?

Having experienced several unreliable romances, Poliwrath now had extreme distrust in its own judgment and just wished that one day, Yuga could arrange a partner for it.

Upon noticing Poliwrath's expectant gaze, Yuga looked over, puzzled: "What are you staring at?"

Poliwrath: I was... um... I want to apply for a partner.

Unfortunately, Yuga couldn't read minds and didn't grasp the meaning behind Poliwrath's eyes.

"Inexplicable," he muttered and left the Shallow Seashore Sub-Ecopark.

(;д｀)ゞPoliwrath, extending its Erkang hand: When will I have a partner...

As Yuga was about to check if the Chansey had prepared this month's Innovation Potion in the Haunted Mansion Sub-Ecopark, before he could step through the gate, Growlithe hurriedly ran over, tugging at his clothing and pulling him towards the Volcano Sub-Ecopark.

Following Growlithe into the Volcano Sub-Ecopark, a scorching airflow hit Yuga as he approached the mountaintop, accompanied by clashing sounds.

Yuga hurriedly reached the mountaintop and saw Flareon and Arcanine in a tense confrontation on two platforms in the magma pool. Rolling gusts of air scattered the lava, some even splashing onto Arcanine and Flareon, yet they paid no heed.

This Flareon was the one belong to Flint, sent over and remaining with Yuga ever since.

Since Flint was on injury, the Sinnoh League gave him day off, so he hadn't rushed to take Flareon back.

But recently, when his injury healed, Yuga asked Flint if he wanted to take Flareon back, but Flint seemed utterly indifferent. He frankly suggested fostering Flareon at YoYo Day Care for a while.

Seeing that Flint had paid all expenses, boarding fees, and the like, Yuga didn't mind much. After all, it was just an additional mouth to feed.

Flareon lived in the Jungle where the Eevee clan resided, frolicking daily with its two wife, Leafeon and Glaceon. Sometimes, Yuga can't even look at them.

Currently, Yuga perceived Flint's Flareon as a sort of 'herdboy' brought by Leafeon and Glaceon. He served as the breeding partner, and this 'herdboy' was first-rate both in potentials and strength—indeed, a superior one among the 'herdboys'.

Thinking in this light, Yuga felt much more at ease.

The Jungle where the Eevee clan lived was located at the foot of the volcano, adjacent to the grassland inhabited by Rapidash. The environment there was pleasant, not significantly affected by the high temperatures of the volcano, thanks to the nearby lake. Even the Glaceon living there wasn't affected by the volcano.

However, to ensure a comfortable environment for the Glaceon, Yuga prepared some Never-Melt Ice for them to wear.

Over these years, with the arrival of new Eevee, the Eevee clan had grown into a relatively sizable group. There were several newborn Glaceon in this group.

The offspring born from Leafeon and Glaceon initially had poor potential, all having only yellow potential. However, after using the Innovation Potion, all of their potential turned into green.

Both Eevee had evolved into new Leafeon and Glaceon.

But Yuga didn't understand why Flareon, that living well among the Eevee clan, would pick a fight with Arcanine?

Flareon leaped from the circular platform, its flames aggressively surging, resembling a cannonball, swiftly charging at Arcanine.

Arcanine spewed a torrent of flames, but when the flames came close to Flareon, it absorbed them into its body, amplifying its own energy.

Flareon's ability is Flash Fire, and evidently, not only do Arcanine attack not harm it, but they actually help it in overpowering the opponent.

Bang!

Flareon's collision almost sent Arcanine tumbling into the magma.

However, Arcanine's Intimidate ability activated at the start of the fight, reducing Flareon's attack power by a large margin. Coupled with Fire-type's resistance to fire-type moves, the damage inflicted to Arcanine was limited.

On the other hand, Flareon who had used Flare Blitz, incurring substantial recoil damage to itself.

Yuga was about to intervene to stop the fight but was halted by Volcarona not far away. It turned out that from the start, Volcarona and other Flareon Pokémon had been watching the spectacle without any intention of getting involved.

How did the Flareon and Arcanine end up fighting? Well, it turns out that Leafeon and Glaceon are expecting another baby.

The higher a Pokémon's level, the more challenging it becomes to conceive, but this particular Flareon that Flint brought over seemed to be perfectly suited for breeding.

They've only been here for a short time, and Leafeon and Glaceon are expecting again. From Yuga's perspective, this confirms the Flareon's role as the prime breeding partner.

Initially, the elder members of the Eevee clan, Jolteon, Vaporeon, and Umbreon, were already discontented with this rogue Flareon, who had taken their sister away. The second pregnancy of Leafeon and Glaceon only heightened their anger.

So, they planned to give Flint's Flareon a lesson.

But they weren't a match for the Flareon. Even if they tried, it was a top-tier elite among elite level Pokémon, and also carefully nurtured by Elite Four member. Teaching it a lesson was no easy task.

So, the cunning Umbreon came up with an idea: finding reinforcements.

In the Volcano area, there were only two Pokémon who could contend with Flint's Flareon: Arcanine and Volcarona.

However, Volcarona, although it was arrieve earlier in the Ecopark, it had a peculiar temperament and wasn't very approachable. The Eevee clan had no particular relationship with it. In contrast, Arcanine, who arrived later, was affable and more liked by everyone.

Thus, the Eevee clan dispatched their smartest member, Espeon. Under Espeon's provocation, the Flareon and Arcanine indeed engaged in a fight.

But as the saying goes, man proposes, God disposes. While Arcanine had initially approached the Flareon with intentions to cause trouble, in the heat of battle, they found themselves mutually understood each others..

So, what started as a fight became a form of bonding between these two male, they've become a brothers through fighting.

As the Pokémon in the Volcano Sub-Ecopark that had the most interaction with Arcanine, Volcarona observed that the fight between the Flareon and Arcanine was merely a display of mutual interest. Hence, it intervened to prevent Yuga from interrupting them.