On an ocean ferry, Yong lay lazily on his side in a deck chair, soaking up the sun.
More than half a month had passed since the Ninetales incident at Mt. Pyre. Under the Pokémon League's usual manipulation, most people had accepted the explanation that abnormal weather changes had caused the various harsh environmental conditions.
Nobody had even asked what exactly was abnormal about the weather.
Uh... perhaps someone had...
Thanks to the Ishida family's good track record, the Stone family's guarantee, and even the approval of certain senior League officials, Yong had regained his freedom after just one week of supervision.
As for Dr. Mikiko, Hirotsugu, and the others, their supervision might last a little longer... um, just a little.
Oh, right, that middle-aged man named Kijiro had finally been found on a beach. However, the shock of losing his partner had made him more susceptible to the control of lost energy, and then he had happened to run into the retreating Team Magma and Team Aqua!
Fortunately, he had survived!
Everyone struggled within their own fate.
Even at the same crossroads, they could head in different directions.
It was now August, with fewer than three months left before the Hoenn League's Ever Grande Conference began, and Yong still needed two more badges!
Considering that the Elite Tournament could arrive at any time, he had no choice but to end his special training in Lilycove City early.
He headed for the city where the next Gym awaited,
Mossdeep City!
"Hey! Swampert~~ Have you caught any fish?"
"Lah-chi!"
Beside the deck chair, Swampert leaned against the side of the ship, his powerful body braced as he held a fishing rod in both hands and stared intently at the sea. At the boy's question, he frowned and gave a disgruntled growl.