Petalburg Gym

After the couple's ice cream incident, Gary and Rosa's relationship took another step forward. Gary had even shamelessly seized the opportunity to earn the achievement of becoming Rosa's boyfriend.

As a result, ever since returning from his date with Rosa, the smile on Gary's face had never faded.

Although Gary and Rosa had become a couple, they still needed to continue their Gym Challenge. So after breakfast, they walked hand in hand toward Petalburg Gym, inseparable and intimate.

On the way to Petalburg Gym, Rosa looked up at Gary beside her and asked, "Gary, do you know anything about Petalburg Gym?"

"Of course I do." After hearing Rosa's question, Gary began explaining it to her.

"Petalburg Gym specializes in Normal-type Pokémon, and its Gym Leader is a man named Norman."

"Norman?" When Rosa heard Gary mention Norman's name, there was a trace of gravity in his tone, making her even more curious.

"Mr. Norman is an incredibly powerful Trainer. His family originally came from the Johto Region, but later, at the Hoenn League's invitation, he came here to serve as the Gym Leader of Petalburg Gym."

"Among all the Gym Leaders in the Hoenn Region, the Petalburg Gym led by Mr. Norman can be called the strongest Gym."

"Petalburg Gym is the strongest Gym in the Hoenn Region?" Rosa looked astonished upon hearing Gary say that Petalburg Gym was the strongest Gym in Hoenn.

"That's right. Petalburg Gym is called the strongest because Mr. Norman possesses strength no less than that of an Elite Four member. He is also one of the candidates to become Hoenn's next Elite Four member." Gary nodded and continued.

"I never expected Mr. Norman to have the strength of an Elite Four member. That's really hard to believe!"

When Rosa learned that Norman possessed Elite Four-level strength, shock appeared on her delicate face.

"But don't worry. We're only taking the Gym Challenge, so Mr. Norman won't go all out." Gary naturally knew what Rosa was worried about, so he reassured her.

"That's good." Only after hearing Gary's words did Rosa relax.

Although Rosa had won this year's Aspertia Tournament in the Unova Region, she was still far from Elite Four level.

Just as they finished talking about Petalburg Gym, they happened to arrive at its entrance.

"So this is Petalburg Gym? It doesn't really look like one!" Looking at the Gym, which resembled an ordinary house, Rosa would not have dared believe it was Petalburg Gym if not for the Gym symbol on it.

"Surprising as it is, this is undoubtedly the Petalburg Gym we were looking for." Facing Rosa's surprise, Gary shrugged.

"All right, let's go in."

After Rosa finished marveling at it, Gary led her into the Gym that looked like an ordinary home.

Once they entered, the first thing they saw was a huge battle arena, though there was no one on it.

"Is anyone here? We're here for a Gym Challenge."

Seeing no one around, the more lively Rosa called out before Gary could.

Just as Rosa finished speaking, a steady voice came from inside.

"Coming!"

Before long, a middle-aged man in a red jacket emerged from the inner room of the Gym with a referee.

"Hello. I'm Norman, the Gym Leader of Petalburg Gym."

Upon seeing Gary and Rosa standing on the battle arena, Norman gave a brief introduction.

"Hello, Mr. Norman. I'm Gary from Pallet Town."

"I'm Rosa from Aspertia City."

Gary and Rosa followed with brief introductions of their own.

"Pallet Town?" Upon hearing that Gary was from Pallet Town, Mr. Norman looked at him in surprise. "So you're Gary!"

"Mr. Norman, you know Gary?" Rosa was quite surprised to see that Norman seemed to know him.

On the other hand, Gary, who knew the plot well, had already formed a bold guess.

Norman's next answer confirmed that his guess was correct.

"I heard about you from Ash. He said you would definitely come challenge our Petalburg Gym." Mr. Norman's answer made Rosa understand at once.

"So it was Ash!"

Since Gary had mentioned his childhood friend Ash to her during their journey, it was hardly surprising.

"Yes, Ash mentioned that you were very strong as well, Gary. He said you were his best friend and greatest rival." Norman recalled the time he had spent with Ash.

"That guy, Ash..." Hearing that Ash had mentioned him to Norman, Gary's smile grew a little wider.

"Mr. Norman, where is Ash now?" Gary then asked Norman about Ash's whereabouts.

"Ash? He left Petalburg City with my daughter May and my son Max the day before yesterday. They should be in Petalburg Woods by now."

Facing Gary's question, Norman thought carefully for a moment before giving their approximate location based on Ash and the others' traveling speed.

"Petalburg Woods?" After hearing Norman's words, Gary roughly understood what stage the plot had reached.

"I understand. Thank you, Mr. Norman." Naturally, Gary did not forget to thank him.

"It's nothing." Norman waved his hand dismissively.

"Mr. Norman, you just mentioned that your son and daughter are with Ash?"

Rosa, who had heard Norman mention that his daughter and son had left Petalburg City with Ash, became interested and asked this question.

"That's right. May and Max are traveling independently for the first time, so I was worried about their safety. That's why I asked Ash to look after them." Norman smiled faintly as he spoke.

"With Ash looking after them, I'm sure May and Max will be fine."

Gary inwardly laughed at Norman's faith that Ash could take good care of his children. Believing that Ash can take care of people now is less believable than me being able to fly.

But Gary did not say it aloud. After all, Ash's nanny, Brock, had probably joined him by now. With Brock's abilities, taking care of the three of them would be no problem at all. So Norman was not exactly wrong.

After Gary, Rosa, and Norman chatted for a while, they became a little closer.

However, they did not forget the main purpose of their visit: the Gym Challenge. Once their conversation ended, the Gym Challenge between them began.