Seventeenth day after leaving the Orange Islands, sunny.
The sky was clear and cloudless. The sun slowly rose, and the faint morning light spilled into the forest, waking the sleeping Pokémon.
The forest instantly became lively, filled with overlapping chirps and the thudding sounds of running.
The Rhydon herd frolicked wildly across the grass, letting out waves of roars.
The Fearow Flock perched on branches or hovered in midair, chirping merrily. The noisy sounds were like fingernails scraping across a blackboard, forcibly dragging Yu Hai out of his dreams.
Yu Hai opened his eyes helplessly and rubbed his still-sleepy face. He got up and began packing away the moisture-proof mat and blankets, his movements practiced and efficient.
Next, he took out the Pokémon's food from his backpack and laid it out one by one, preparing breakfast for them.
After breakfast, he planned to leave Great Poni Island. Fearow and Rhydon had both met their respective families, so it was time to continue this Elite Four journey.
He knew full well that he had no idea how long it would be before they returned here again.
This Elite Four journey might become the longest trip of his life.
The busy, exhausting days were about to begin again. He could not help sighing softly and muttering, "Sigh, another day of working myself to the bone!"
After packing everything up, he looked toward the Rhydon on the distant grass and shouted, "Rhydon, we're leaving! Pelipper, go call Fearow."
Iron Hānhān had originally been hanging his head by the lake, surrounded by a group of Rhydon. Some gently nudged Iron Hānhān with their heads, while others let out deep calls. It was unclear whether they were exchanging battle techniques with him or lecturing him.
When Iron Hānhān heard that they could go back, his