The next morning, Nils, Ren and Firenze were having breakfast and discussing on where to go next.

"From what I know," said Firenze, "Dure City, Cerulean City and Saffron City are the best choices of which Gym you should challenge next Nils."

"But which one should I choose," asked Nils, "I hear they are all good Gyms."

"Excuse us," said a voice and the trio turned to see Boyd, the Champion, and Wilda, the Vice President of Ketchum co, "May we have a talk with you three," asked Boyd.

"Sure," answered Firenze, "But what's it about?"

"Well you see," said Boyd, I was on my way to Eyon City so I could get on a cruise there but yesterday, Wilda here showed up and told me that Ketchum co needed me for something."

"A few weeks ago," said Wilda, "Ketchum co had hired four new employees but they don't understand what we're all about and that's mainly because they don't understand the bond between people and Pokemon that well." "However, the President recently decided to make them understand the bond by having each of them have a battle with one of four powerful trainers." "The four trainers the President had chosen for this were himself, Misty, the Cerulean Gym Leader, Wardah of the Elite Four, and Boyd, the Champion."

"When Wilda told me all of this," said Boyd, "I knew I had to do it but I didn't know what to do with my ticket to the cruise since I won't be going."

"It was when Boyd told me his problem," said Wilda, "We saw you three leave the Gym and come here to the Pokemon Center."

"So," said Boyd, "I decided to give you three my ticket since I know two of you well," said Boyd who knew Nils' parents from the war and knew Firenze because she was a Gym Leader.

"But there's only one ticket and three of us," said Nils.

"Actually," said Boyd, "That ticket can allow up to four people to get on the cruise as do all of the tickets to the cruise." "Also, the cruise will depart at Eyon City and stop at Seafoam Island which happens to have a Gym."

"Then in that case," said Nils," Let's go on that cruise."

"But first," said Boyd who was looking at Ren," I would like to have a battle with you little guy."

"Really," asked Ren," Why?"

"Antony told me that you had a battle with him and he was impressed by the bond you shared with your Pokemon despite the fact you are too young to be a trainer." "After hearing about you from Antony, I thought I should have a battle with you to see what he saw."

"In that case, ok," said Ren and they all went to the Pokemon Center's battlefield.

"This will be a one on one battle is that fine with you," asked Boyd.

"Fine by me," answered Ren.

"In that case, go Steelix," said Boyd and his Steelix was sent out.

"Go Makuhita," said Ren who knew Makuhita had the type advantage and Makuhita came out. "Use Arm Thrust," and Makuhita used the selected move which did nothing.

"Use Flash Cannon," and Steelix started using the chosen move.

"Use Force Palm to spring yourself away," said Ren and Makuhita did as instructed which made him dodge the Flash Cannon.

"Not bad," said Boyd, "Now try this, use Dig," and Steelix started to used the attack of choice.

"Wait and use Vital Throw," said Ren but when Steelix hit Makuhita with Dig, Makuhita was sent flying and couldn't use Vital Throw.

After crashing into the ground, Makuhita got up and, with a determined look, evolved into Hariyama.

"Alright," said Ren, "Now use Close Combat," and Hariyama used the move he just learned by evolving which did some damage on Steelix.

"Let's wrap this up," said Boyd, "Use Giga Impact," and Steelix used the move of choice which knocked out Hariyama.

"Hariyama," said Ren as he ran over to his Hariyama, "Are you ok," and Hariyama nodded.

"That was good battle Ren," said Boyd after he returned his Steelix, "If you could have Hariyama evolve in a time when it deeply needed to, I'm sure you'll do great things together with your Pokemon."

"Thanks Boyd," thanked Ren.

"Well anyway," said Boyd, "Wilda and I have to go to Ketchum co Building, I'll see you all again," and with that, Boyd and Wilda left.

After that, Hariyama was healed at the Pokemon Center and after Hariyama was healed, the trio left for the cruise in Eyon City.