"Keep giving it your all~!"
Standing at the junction of Route 7 outside Celadon City, Yong and Erika watched Qingcao and Miyuki head toward Saffron City, their figures gradually disappearing into the distance.
After saying goodbye to the two, Erika turned her gaze back to the calm-faced boy beside her and asked,
"Where are you going next? Back to Hoenn?"
Yong looked north, anticipation shining in his eyes.
"Yeah, but before I head back, I should visit my uncle."
Erika paused, then immediately remembered.
"That's right, I almost forgot. You're a professor at the Rock Solid Research Institute, too~"
"Haha! Sorry for all the trouble this time, Erika. I'll be heading off, too!"
The boy took out a Pokémon Ball and released Aerodactyl.
Looking at the Pokémon's restrained aura and feeling the pressure Aerodactyl exerted on her, Erika couldn't help remarking,
"This Aerodactyl just keeps getting stronger... Well, have a safe journey."
The two said their goodbyes. Yong patted Aerodactyl's neck and nodded.
"Let's go, Aerodactyl! We're heading to Mount Miacha!"
"Roooar!!!"
A dragon's cry rang out as a fierce gust swept past. Aerodactyl beat his wings, rose from the ground, and flew swiftly into the distance.
Watching him disappear, Erika smiled faintly, then turned and returned to Celadon City.
Situated between Pallet Town and Viridian City, Mount Miacha stretched across the boundless sea of green that was Viridian Forest.
The once-imposing mountain was now bustling with life.
A cluster of buildings stood before the mountain valley, adjoining the trail leading in and out and incorporating this gently sloping terrain into the institute's grounds.
As buildings took shape around the valley where the Giant Onix lived, the area had become a place that many researchers and Pokémon Trainers eagerly looked forward to visiting, much like Professor Oak's Laboratory.
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