The Old Warhorse Still Longed to Run

With the Rising Badge in hand, the rancher headed south and soon reached the Seventh City—

Violet City.

He knew exactly what he wanted and challenged the Pokémon Gym without hesitation.

Falkner, a young trainer who had inherited the Gym from his father, proved his skill. Even so, he still fell short of the seasoned veterans the rancher had faced before.

Despite the strength expected of a seventh Badge, the rancher won on his first try. Three rounds of special training had sharpened his battle skills, and he had the Three-Word Mantra to fall back on.

It left Falkner rather embarrassed. Before the battle, he had claimed that Electric-type attacks were nothing to Flying-type Pokémon.

[You defeated Falkner, the Violet Gym Leader, and obtained the Zephyr Badge.]

[You learned from Falkner that his father had left the Gym in his care while traveling, and you couldn't help feeling a little envious.]

Envious...

Of what? That your daughter wasn't old enough to take over your ranch?

Hadn't he just said he wanted the ranch girl to pursue her own dreams?

Baimu stared at the screen, speechless. As gentle background music played, the rancher arrived at the final town on his route—Azalea Town.

The Azalea Gym Leader was Bugsy, a young man with delicate features and the youngest of the Gym Leaders. He had researched Bug-type Pokémon extensively and hoped to become a Pokémon Professor.

He had even discovered and named the move Fury Cutter.

During their Gym battle, Bugsy's Scizor showed why this was an eighth-Badge challenge. Its Swords Dance actually formed a protective ring that warded off ranged Fire-type attacks.

"Spinning around can block flames? Seriously?"

Baimu had his doubts. He suspected there was a deeper technique at work.

Something like Counter Shield.

If Steelix and Mawile learned