The sixtieth day after leaving the Orange Islands. Cloudy.
Gray clouds blanketed the sky, and the muggy air carried a damp, salty tang.
Today marked the twenty-sixth day since arriving at Cinnabar Gym, three months since Toxicroak refined its toxins, and thirty-two days since it began using the Horn Energy to break through.
With both attributes having broken through, Toxicroak had finally displayed the change Yu Hai had dreamed of seeing this afternoon.
He had stayed by Toxicroak's side every day, recording the breakthrough process. Each time, his fingers rubbed along the edge of his notebook until the paper was worn frayed before stopping. He had been desperately eager to see Toxicroak change.
It was now afternoon. In the small courtyard by the forest that A Long rented, Toxicroak sat cross-legged on the withered yellow grass. After Gengar's reminder and Poliwrath's feedback, Yu Hai had cleared every bit of clutter from the yard. Only Toxicroak remained inside, with Cobalion's horn placed before it.
Fine brown and purple patterns surfaced across Toxicroak's body, and fluctuations in its aura gradually intensified. The Pokémon that had been training suddenly stopped moving as Yu Hai recalled them one by one to clear the area. Even A Long's Pokémon retreated.
A Long also took out a notebook. This was his first time witnessing a Pokémon break through to the Elite Four from nothing. It was invaluable experience, and he had to record it so he would not repeat the regret of missing Gyarados's Elite Four breakthrough.
"Whoosh—"
Suddenly, a fierce wind sprang up from nowhere, sweeping outward with Toxicroak at its center. It made every hair on Yu Hai's neck stand on end. The corners of his clothes were lifted by the wind before being slammed back down.
Sand and grass clippings blew toward him.