Gary was still a guest, and although Wanda had thanked him the previous evening, she felt she ought to entertain him properly—after all, he had saved her fiancé's life.
"Gary, did Wally invite you over?" Wanda asked, surprised to see the two return so soon.
That morning, Wally had said he was going to spend time with Gary; she hadn't expected him to bring Gary straight back home.
Wally looked at Gary with hopeful eyes, silently urging him to broach the subject.
"Miss Wanda, I actually came to help Wally persuade you," Gary said, getting straight to the point.
"Persuade us...?" Wanda froze, then realized what was happening and turned a stern gaze on her brother.
Wally shrank a little—he still found his sister intimidating.
"Gary, what exactly did Wally tell you?" she asked.
"Wally wants to become a Pokémon Trainer. I took him out this morning and helped him catch a Pokémon. I hope you don't mind," Gary replied.
Wanda was stunned. Wally, who was normally so obedient, had gone out and caught a Pokémon behind her back?
"I'm sorry my brother troubled you," she said quickly, assuming Wally had somehow wheedled or misled Gary.
"Sister Wanda, your brother hasn't troubled me at all," Gary assured her. "I know you and your parents object, but I insisted on helping him."
Wanda looked puzzled. If Gary understood the family's concerns, why involve himself?
"Because I believe Wally can become a competent Trainer," Gary continued. "I know about his health, so I'm proposing a compromise: from today, Wally will live independently and take full responsibility for himself and his Pokémon. If he can't manage that, he'll give up the dream. If he can, I hope you'll support his license."
Wanda's eyes widened—she hadn't expected such terms. She turned back to her brother.
"Wally, look at me," she said firmly.
This time, Wally met her gaze. His body was thin, but his eyes held more determination than she had ever seen.
"Is this really what you want?" she asked.
"Yes, Sister. I want to be a Trainer. Please give me a chance to prove myself," Wally said, his voice steady.
Wanda's expression softened into a gentle smile. "Very well. I'll give you that chance. If you can manage your own life for a year—and look after your Pokémon properly—I'll support you."
"What about Mom and Dad…?" Wally asked. Convincing Wanda alone wouldn't be enough.
"Leave them to me," Wanda said. "The rest is up to you."
As Wally's sister, she had always worried about him, but she also knew how deeply he longed to travel. Today, someone had finally given him the confidence he needed.
"Thank you. I'll prove myself to all of you," Wally promised.
With the matter settled, Gary prepared to leave. "Then I won't intrude any longer. Zinnia is waiting for me back at the Center."
"Won't you stay for dinner?"
"Thanks, but I really should get back."
"Eevee, let's go," Gary called, turning toward the door.
"Wait," Wanda said suddenly. "Gary—aren't you taking your Ralts?"
"Ra!" "Ra!"
The two Ralts, realizing they'd been noticed, shuffled guiltily toward Wally.
"They're not mine," Gary explained. "They're Wally's playmates. They come over when school is out."
He would have loved to catch the shiny Ralts, but the pair clearly had parents somewhere nearby. They might leave with Wally one day, but they would never follow Gary.
Wanda raised an eyebrow. "Ralts are your friends, Wally?"
"Yes, and the Pokémon I caught today is a Roselia," Wally added quickly.
"I see," she murmured, amazed that her brother had made such unusual friends without her noticing.
"I'll walk you out," Wanda said to Gary. At the gate, she repeated her promise: as long as Wally could look after himself for a year, she would support his application for a Trainer's license.
Walking back to the Pokémon Center, Gary felt a twinge of regret about the Ralts, but their bond with Wally was obvious—fate, it seemed, had other plans.
He found Zinnia fast asleep after an afternoon of training. The girl was fearless: she hadn't even worried that Gary might leave her behind. He chuckled and shook his head. Once her trial was over, he decided, he would escort her safely back to Meteor Village.