"It's frustrating to lose... Looks like I still have room to improve!"
With a gentle smile, Winona came over to Yong and opened her hand. The elegant, feather-shaped Feather Badge lay in her palm.
"This is proof of your victory over the Fortree Gym! What a wonderful battle, Yong. I look forward to seeing what you accomplish!"
Yong carefully accepted the Badge and placed it in his Badge case, then said with a smile,
"Thank you for your guidance, Miss Winona! I learned a lot from this battle, too! I really envy how you and your Bird Pokémon can freely listen to the wind!"
Winona shook her head.
"I'm simply following nature's most beautiful response to humanity. The wind accepted my feelings."
Looking up at the sky, Winona's eyes flickered with memories as she spoke with a hint of wistfulness.
"I hope that one day, humans and nature can truly accept and understand each other!"
"Your wish will definitely come true!"
A breeze swept past, softly brushing their cheeks, and Winona broke into a smile.
"Yes! That day will surely come!"
The two exchanged smiles.
Waving goodbye to the two of them, Yong left the Fortree Gym. As he took in the beautiful surroundings, the heaviness in his heart vanished.
Fortree City's Pokémon Center was not far from the Gym, perched among the branches of an enormous old tree.
After handing his Pokémon Balls to Nurse Joy, Yong sat in the lobby and waited quietly.
Nearby, several Bug Catchers were arguing over whether Dustox or Beautifly was stronger.
Though their faces were red from arguing, the love for Pokémon in their eyes was impossible to hide.
Yong watched them with a smile, then suddenly realized that he was only a ten-year-old boy himself!
*Why didn't I have any of that