The large group finally returned to the Gym, where the apprentices who had stayed behind had long since prepared a welcome ceremony.
After spending a lively afternoon with everyone and enjoying a sumptuous dinner, Sato finally had the chance to enjoy a moment of peace once the crowd dispersed.
But before long, he got up and headed outside, making his way alone to the Pokemon training room.
Sato wanted to spend some time with his old partners.
"Kachi!"
Umbreon was the first to spot Sato. With its nocturnal habits, it often firmly held the title of champion night owl.
Umbreon jumped to Sato's side and affectionately rubbed against his calf, its blood-red eyes narrowing happily.
Sato bent down and stroked Umbreon's smooth, satin-like fur, skillfully scratching the spot beneath its most sensitive chin. It felt so good that the yellow rings on its body lit up, lending its beauty a touch of mystery.
"Weavile!"
"Woo woo..."
Before long, Weavile and Houndoom, who also had nocturnal habits, ran over.
Weavile was somewhat cool and aloof. Upon seeing Sato, it merely nodded slightly, then leaned against a large ball nearby and calmly watched Umbreon and Houndoom act cute.
Weavile: (￣へ￣) Disdains to associate with them!
Houndoom and Umbreon were making quite a commotion, so the other Pokemon soon gathered as well.
Seeing this, Sato released all six Pokemon he carried with him.
Zoroark, Gengar, Tyranitar, Gardevoir, Honchkrow...
Together with Krookodile, Absol, Drapion, Greninja, and the other Pokemon that had arrived, Sato realized he had not seen all his partners together at once in a long time.
Powerful as Zoroark, Gardevoir, Gengar, and the others were, they had already begun exploring their own Champion's Path.
As for Absol, Greninja, and the others who had joined later, they had all broken through to Pseudo-Elite