"Ding! Steelix failed the official battle challenge! Gained 300 training points! Gained a massive amount of experience!" "Ding! Head Smash proficiency increased!" "Ding! Steelix leveled up to Lv38! Learned Slam (beginner)!" "Ding! Bond power increased! Steelix learned the beginner force field 'Mountainous Force'!"
Notification chimes rang out one after another. Although Steelix had lost, the rewards Steelix received were the greatest of all!
Mountainous Force?
Yong stared at the system rewards, stunned.
Was this... the kind of power Slaking had unleashed?
"Yong! Here's the Balance Badge. You've earned it!"
At some point, Norman had walked up to Yong, a badge in his hand.
It was none other than the Balance Badge, representing the Petalburg Gym!
"Thank you, Norman!"
After a moment of hesitation, Yong finally accepted the badge. Looking at the shattered battlefield, he said sheepishly,
"I'm so sorry! I left the battlefield in this state. I'll..."
"Don't worry!"
Before he could finish, Norman laughed heartily.
"This is part of a Gym's responsibilities, and the Pokémon League covers it. Perfect timing, too! I can ask for this quarter's funding while I'm at it! Hahaha!"
Watching Norman laugh so freely, Yong could only smile helplessly.
That works!
Now,
it's time to head to the next stop!
But there's somewhere I need to visit first!
After saying goodbye to everyone at the Petalburg Gym, Yong headed to the Pokémon Center in Petalburg City, handed all his companions' Pokémon Balls to Nurse Joy, and booked a room.
He enjoyed a comfortable shower, prepared all the food, then packed it into his backpack. After retrieving everyone's Pokémon Balls, Yong set out on his journey once more.
He walked along the familiar woodland path with Marshtomp at his side.
As he leisurely watched the bird Pokémon flying overhead and the bug Pokémon cocooned