With both children defeated, the redhead declares it a ‘rousing battle’ and says he could tell the pokemon were excited also.  Turning to you, the man points out that types are very important in battle, giving the all-too-common fire/grass/water cycle as an example.  This isn’t big enough to determine the outcome of a battle on its own, though, he says.  He also explains about what’s come to be known as STAB- the Same Type Attack Bonus, which makes a move’s power increase if the move is the same type as the pokemon using it.

Alder heals up your pokemon again, and tells your first-slot pokemon that it did a wonderful job for you.  He enthuses for a bit about meeting pokemon and people, and then you’re set free.

When you step out of Alder’s house, there is a strange man waiting for you- he abruptly hands you a Medal Box, and introduces himself as Mr. Medal, and asks if you know about the Medal Rally.  Either way, though, he’s going to explain it to you.

The Medal Rally, he says, is an event that measures the activities of trainers- and then he gives you a medal for starting to collect medals, as well as five hint Medals to help you on your way.  Medals are achieved by completing conditions listed with the medal’s space in the Medal Box, and can be collected from Mr. Medal at Pokemon Centers.  He asks that you open your Medal Box and look inside right away- and then leaves.

As soon as he’s gone, Alder pops out of his house, and tells you that the gym leader for Aspertia City has just arrived, so you should go challenge the gym and test yourself.  Make sure you scour the town and talk to everybody (one of the people in one of the houses will give you a potion) and then head back to the West.

You’re stopped just outside of town by Alder, again jumping down from the cliff above.  The fiery-haired Champion asks that you excuse him, as he’s forgotten to tell you something important: that you should take some Oran Berries, which can be used to heal your pokemon.  He also explains that these, as ‘hold items’, can be held by pokemon and the monster will use the item in the middle of battle when it seems to need it.  He also reminds you that he told you to challenge the Aspertia Gym Leader, and the Gym Leader is a very strong trainer, but you don’t have anything to worry about.  If you think hard about what your pokemon can do and what you as a trainer should do, he says, you should be able to achieve victory.

After that, Alder tells you, you should keep taking on stronger trainers- and even the Gym Leaders of each city- because working together with your pokemon will help you to grow as well, and expand the scope of your world.  With his piece said, the odd redhead turns and heads back into town, leaving you to finally make your way back whence you came.