"Young man, your strength is impressive. Would you be interested in staying here at the Cianwood Gym?" Chuck asked with a hearty smile.
Yozora shook his head, smiling. "I already have a master."
Chuck blinked. "A master?"
Yozora nodded. "Yes. I am a disciple of Master Tyron from the Kanto region."
"So you're Master Tyron's disciple? No wonder you're so talented at such a young age."
Chuck immediately showed respect. Even though Yozora was not Master Tyron himself, but merely his disciple, Chuck still treated him with genuine reverence.
It was enough to show just how monumental Master Tyron's status was in the martial arts world—like an immovable pillar that held up the sky.
After obtaining the badge, Yozora bid farewell to Chuck and the others and left the Cianwood Gym.
Arriving at the Pokémon Center in Cianwood City, he handed his partners over to Nurse Joy for recovery.
"You're Yozora, aren't you?" Nurse Joy asked, staring at him.
"Yes… you know me?" Yozora looked puzzled. Though every Nurse Joy across the land looked identical, each was clearly an individual.
He was certain he had no prior connection with this particular Joy of Cianwood City.
Receiving confirmation, Nurse Joy smiled brightly. "That's right. Some time ago, Professor Oak contacted us and told us that if you arrived here, you should call him immediately."
She gestured toward the public videophone.
Yozora scratched his head awkwardly. Come to think of it, it had been a long time since he last contacted Professor Oak—nearly half a year.
He walked over to the videophone and dialed Oak's number with practiced ease. The screen flickered, and soon Professor Oak's kind and familiar face appeared.
"Yozora, your research paper is extraordinary! Do you realize you've already become famous in the academic world?" Professor Oak said, beaming.
He continued, "Also, after review by the League, your researcher credentials have been upgraded. You are now officially a Senior Researcher. With this title, you may carry up to six Research Balls."
"Really? That's fantastic!" Yozora's face lit up with joy.
That meant he could now carry up to twelve Pokémon at once.
After their call, Yozora received several brand-new Research Balls. Professor Oak reminded him to capture more rare Pokémon for study…
At present, Yozora carried eight Pokémon.
Aside from his veteran partners Gengar and Miltank, he now had Dragonite, Ampharos, Eevee, Growlithe, Tangrowth, and the Crystal Onix.
These six were his main team in Johto.
While traveling across the sea toward Olivine City, Yozora rode Dragonite just above the waves. Along the way, he spotted an abandoned power plant.
His eyes sharpened.
In the games, abandoned power plants usually meant only one thing—Zapdos.
With that thought, Yozora had Dragonite turn toward the island that held the derelict facility.
The moment he landed, he sensed human presence. Exchanging a glance with Dragonite, the two slipped inside stealthily—only to discover it was a Team Rocket research base.
Team Rocket had been capturing Electric-type Pokémon and forcing them to generate power for their experiments.
"Dragonite, Hyper Beam!" Yozora commanded.
In an instant, the base was reduced to rubble. The Rocket grunts were wiped out, and Gengar feasted once more, growing stronger.
But as Yozora stepped out of the power plant, a flowing, azure figure appeared before him—Suicune.
Fate was strange indeed. This was the third time Yozora had encountered Suicune.
The first had been deep in Viridian Forest. The second, near the Bell Tower. And now—this.
Yet Yozora was certain: each Suicune he met was a different one.
The first, in Viridian, was perhaps Elite Four peak or Champion-level.The second, near Bell Tower, at least demi-god level—perhaps even a true god-tier.And this one before him… Elite Four mid-tier.
"Raaahhh!" Suicune glared at Yozora, as though facing an enemy. Its eyes were fierce, its fangs bared.
With a sudden motion, it reared back its head and unleashed a Hydro Pump at Yozora's feet.
His face paled, and he quickly threw up an Aura Barrier to shield himself.
At the same time, Dragonite roared and leapt in front of him.
BOOM! The roaring torrent smashed into Dragonite's right leg.
The force was like hundreds of trucks slamming into him. Dragonite braced, muscles straining, but the sheer water pressure drove him back. His feet gouged deep trenches in the earth, dirt exploding in clouds, until his back slammed into Yozora's Aura Barrier.
Crack! The barrier shattered like glass.
Yozora pressed his hands against Dragonite's back, the two retreating together, the ground plowed into ruin beneath them.
"So strong…" Yozora's heart pounded.
His Aura alone was already at Elite Four level—yet even that could not withstand Suicune's assault. Truly, a Legendary Beast's bloodline was unparalleled.
"Suicune, this must be a misunderstanding!" Yozora cried.
Dragonite's leg was swollen and injured, leaving him half-kneeling, nearly out of commission.
Desperate, Yozora flung open his Aura completely, transmitting his sincerity.
"You are an evil human! I must defeat you to rescue the Pokémon trapped inside that power plant!" Suicune's voice thundered in his mind.
Yozora felt aggrieved. "But I already destroyed the Rockets! I saved them before you got here, and now you attack me instead…"
Was it fate that heroes always arrived too late? Otherwise, they just got beaten.
Suicune's suspicion lingered, but it did not strike again. Soon after, swarms of Electric-types—Magnemite, Magneton, Electrode, and Voltorb—came pouring out of the plant.
Through their cries and Aura, Suicune learned the truth.
Embarrassed, though without apology, Suicune released a single golden droplet of healing water.
Green light spread beneath Dragonite, and before Yozora's eyes, the swelling vanished. Dragonite's expression softened into relief, then broke into a goofy grin at Suicune.
What a gentle giant—holding no grudges at all.
Yozora, too, harbored none. Since awakening his Mind's Eye, his heart was as vast as the sea. Unless someone acted with true malice, he would not hold it against them.
"Still, Suicune—since we are both heroes, why not come with me?" Yozora asked. To meet three different Suicune was surely destiny.
"Raaahhh!"
The thought came in Aura: Since I injured you by mistake, I will give you a chance. Battle me. If you can defeat me, I shall accompany you for a time.
It raised its head proudly, ready for combat.
It did not underestimate Yozora—for his Aura alone spoke of strength. And as a trainer, surely he was even greater.
But Yozora grimaced. "Now? My strongest partners aren't with me."
Even with Gengar and Dragonite, he stood no chance. Against an Elite-tier Suicune, he would need Beedrill, Charizard, or Buzzwole.
Suicune's gaze softened. Very well. Three months. I will wait for you on Mt. Silver. If you do not come by then, the opportunity will be lost.
With that, the North Wind swept it away, leaving only Yozora, Dragonite, and the crowd of freed Electric-types behind.
But the Pokémon were troubled. Though rescued, they were stranded on the barren island, with no means of survival once the plant's residual power ran out.
"Don't worry. Many of you can fly. Follow us, and I'll take you to a bustling city where you'll be free—and safe." Yozora reassured them, climbing onto Dragonite.
"Bzzt bzzt!" The Pokémon cheered, lining up neatly behind Dragonite.
So it was that a strange procession crossed the sea—one trainer and his Dragonite, followed by a vast flock of Electric Pokémon.
Dragonite's speed was immense, yet the Electric-types were far slower.
To accommodate them, he slowed down drastically. When the Pokémon grew tired, Yozora ordered breaks, letting Dragonite, Crystal Onix, and Vaporeon float as living platforms on the water.
Even Gengar was summoned, carrying Magnemite clinging to its back.
Dragonite bore the burden with his usual cheerful smile, no complaints at all.
The sight made everyone laugh. None knew Suicune was still watching from miles away.
By the time they reached Olivine City, dusk had fallen.
Many Pokémon disappeared the instant they touched land. But some remained, bowing respectfully to Yozora and Dragonite before departing.
With that done, Yozora rested at the Pokémon Center overnight.
The next morning, refreshed, he set out for his next Gym challenge.
At the Olivine Gym, he was first greeted by a lively young girl named Koshia, about ten years old, bright-eyed and energetic.
She led him inside, where Yozora met Jasmine.
The Gym Leader was graceful with silver hair and a white dress, yet known throughout the region as a formidable trainer. Unexpectedly, she specialized in Steel-types.
"Leader Jasmine, I'd like to request a full 6-on-6 battle," Yozora said earnestly.
At his level, ordinary Gym matches held no meaning. Only full-force battles could help him grow further.
"A 6-on-6? Oh my, very few challengers request that. Most are eager just to earn their badge quickly." Jasmine smiled warmly.
Yozora shook his head. "Their goal is merely to collect eight badges and qualify for the Silver Conference. My goal is to win glory there. For that, I must push myself now."
Jasmine's eyes brightened. "Well said. I accept. But be warned—I will fight with my full power. If you lose, I won't grant you the badge."
"Of course," Yozora nodded with a smile.
They took their places on the battlefield. Koshia stepped up to the referee's stand.
"This will be a 6-on-6 full battle! Trainers, send out your first Pokémon!"
The two trainers moved simultaneously.
Yozora sent out Tangrowth. Jasmine sent out Magneton.
Though close in strength, Jasmine's Magneton held the advantage.
Yozora's Tangrowth stood at Lord-tier entry level. Jasmine's Magneton was already Lord-tier advanced.
Clearly, Jasmine was no ordinary Gym Leader. Even her first Pokémon displayed such power.
(End of Chapter)