The next morning
After spending the night at the Pokémon Center, Roy woke to the chatter of the crowd outside his window.
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Today was Ho-Oh's festival.
After greeting Joy and Blissey in Ecruteak City, Roy left the Pokémon Center.
Joy and Blissey stiffly returned Roy's greeting. After he left, the woman and Pokémon looked at each other. They probably would not get a D this time... right?
By the time Roy arrived at Ecruteak Square, it was already packed with people.
Some in the crowd held Ho-Oh statues, some wore hats and T-shirts printed with Ho-Oh, and others carried kites bearing Ho-Oh's image.
In the very center of the square were the girls Roy had seen yesterday, performing a dance resembling a ritual. The entire square was abuzz with excitement.
This was the festival Ecruteak City's residents had prepared especially for Ho-Oh, as well as a display of their determination to welcome Ho-Oh back.
But Roy knew they were probably wasting their effort. That drifter Ho-Oh might pass through Ecruteak City at most; it would never stay here.
Morty stood at the edge of the crowd. When he saw Roy, he hurried over, looking rather nervous.
He had thought Roy's words about making him a Gym Leader yesterday had merely been casual talk.
He had not expected Roy to have Officer Jenny announce his appointment as Gym Leader at the festival today. When he received Roy's message yesterday, he had been completely stunned.
Before Morty could speak, Roy heard the people beside him talking.
"Did you hear that explosion last night? I was sleeping when there was suddenly this huge blast. The ground even shook twice. It scared me