Resolving the Incident

That morning, Trainers hired by the Sunyshore City government arrived in volunteer uniforms and began work despite some residents' objections.

They pushed carts full of Poké Balls into District 9, intending to catch every Stray Pokémon and release them in the wild. Naturally, that meant there would be fights.

Not many people lived in the district, so there was little concern about damage to houses. Once the Stray Pokémon were gone, the area was slated for demolition to make way for an amusement park.

"Sigh..."

Nurse Joy watched helplessly. There was nothing she could do but watch them begin chasing the Stray Pokémon resting along the roadside.

Arcanine and the others watched from the Pokémon Center, powerless to intervene. After all, they would soon be among those being chased.

Riolu wasn't there. Mingyou had taken him to the Police Station early that morning to turn himself in for theft. He would probably be detained...

Just then, a Trainer walking beside a Tyranitar seemed to be searching for something, his gaze sweeping the area.

Driving out Wild Pokémon seemed less important to him than something else. A closer look would have revealed that his movements were still awkward, as though he had not fully recovered from an injury.

"Damn it... That thing has to be here!"

Gray's voice was cold. Being hospitalized had made him miss his last chance to challenge a Gym. His journey through the Sinnoh Region had ended with seven Badges, and he had missed the Lily of the Valley Conference.

He blamed it all on the Pokémon that had ambushed him. Without that attack, he might have won the Lily of the Valley Conference himself. How could some kid have taken the title instead?

Now he finally had a chance to join the volunteers. Before he recovered