"It's not what everyone thinks it is," Steven admitted. "It has its perks, sure, but I'm still just another trainer. I just happen to be a strong one."

"The strongest one," Ithica pointed out. Steven made a face.

"Wallace and I have to flip a coin over it, sometimes," he said. "We battle each other to a draw pretty often. You've heard of Wallace?"

"Sootopolis City gym leader, yeah," Ithica said, nodding. "Water-types."

Mel snickered a little. "Ah, down to flipping a coin," she said with a grin. "Good thing that's normal. Also good thing apparently neither of you has a huge ego, because that would get messy."

Steven laughed.

"Don't get me wrong, Wallace can be like that," he said. "But we're friends."

Mel grinned a bit. "Well that makes things easier, I'm sure," she agreed. "Always easier to deal with people when you know what kind of blackmail and/or bribery will work best."

Steven laughed.

"True," he said. "Very true." He looked at them. "So, am I right in assuming you're on your way to Fallarbor Town?"

"Yup. That's the plan, at least." Mel smiled a bit. "We'll see from there." She shrugged a bit.

"It's a nice town," Steven said, nodding. "Though be careful of the ash. Sometimes it's a bit heavy, and it's not fun to breathe."

"Yeah no I bet it's not." Mel grimaced a bit. "Thanks for the heads up." She grinned a bit. "Do you travel around much?"

"All the time," Steven said, nodding. He grinned a bit. "There are only so many kinds of minerals in one place, after all. And I'd hate to get lazy in my training. It's good to battle trainers from all over."

Mel grinned. "Sounds like good reasoning," she agreed. "So who knows, maybe we'll run into you again."

"I'm sure we will," Steven said, smiling. "Especially since your friend looks like she's vibrating out of her shoes for the chance to battle. Trainers like her typically take on the League eventually."

Ithica blushed a bit.

Mel snickered. "That wouldn't surprise me at all, with her," she agreed. "We'll just have to wait and see how long it takes."

"So I like battling," Ithica mumbled. "Dratini and I will eventually be able to beat the shit out of any of the Elite Four, just watch."

"I'm sure," Steven said.

"Oh it'll happen," Mel agreed. "Just a matter of how long it'll take." She grinned. "I think I'll just be your cheering squad instead."

"Sounds good," Ithica said, grinning. She looked at Steven. "You'll see, I'll make it all the way to the Champion battle and it will be amazing."

Steven smiled.

"I look forward to it, then," he said.

Mel grinned a bit. Oh yes, this was definitely going to be entertaining when the time came.

"Well, I should be on my way," Steven said. "My next stop is Rustboro." He grinned. "I'm sure we'll meet each other again."

Mel smiled. "I'm sure we will. Until next time, then." She nodded to him and let him head on his way.

Steven nodded as well and walked off.

"Wow," Ithica said after a moment. "What are the odds we would meet the region Champion out here in the corner of nowhere?"

"Apparently, pretty good," Mel quipped. "Although really this was probably a one-off fluke. But even still. Kinda fun." She grinned.

"True," Ithica said, nodding. She grinned. "Though I swear I'll make it to the League because that's going to be awesome."

"Oh I have no doubt you will." Mel smiled. "Given time, you'll definitely get there. Although it probably won't take too terribly long."

Ithica grinned.

"Once we've settled a bit, I'll take on the Gym challenge, and then the League," she said.

"Oh I know. I'm pretty much expecting that we'll be traveling for a while doing this." Mel grinned. "Which is fine with me, means I at least get to see everything."

Ithica grinned.

"Why wait, then?" she asked. "We'll go to Fallarbor town now, stay for a few days and relax, then we should head back to Rustboro. Roxanne's gym is the first one in the gym circuit, and I'm betting Dratini can handle her Geodude and Nosepass."