Ever Grande Tunnel had been fully opened.
The tunnel had become an important route connecting Rustboro City, Mossdeep Town, and Mauville City. The Trainers, adventurers, and travelers passing through increased traffic in the surrounding towns and boosted their economies, so the Pokémon League had built Pokémon Centers and small markets at both ends of the tunnel.
After all, this was already the outskirts of the city, and humans were far from the only ones in the tunnel. There were plenty of Pokémon, too!
Whether during captures, battles, or life among wild Pokémon colonies, injuries were unavoidable.
Watching a boy hurry toward the entrance with his Zigzagoon in his arms, Yong patted Qingcao on the shoulder and earnestly reminded him,
"Remember, when you're traveling alone, never do anything you aren't confident you can handle! If you run into danger, put your trust in your partner instead of blindly seeking help. Understand?"
Although Qingcao did not quite understand, he firmly committed Yong's words to memory.
The tunnel was not as dim as it had been when Yong caught Aron. Instead, as was customary, two rows of glowstones embedded in the walls gave off a white glow.
There were indeed quite a few people coming and going.
Everyone had their partners beside them, while walkways and caves crisscrossed all around.
Yong smiled slightly and explained to the other two,
"These passages were dug by Pokémon Trainers back when construction on the tunnel stopped. They wanted to catch a rare Pokémon here!"
Cynthia was hardly surprised. She nodded with a smile,
"Most tunnels and ruins are like this! After all, plenty of Pokémon like hiding in the dark..."
As she spoke, she glanced at Yong and chuckled,
"I imagine you had a hand in this, too?"
"Ha ha!"
The boy nodded happily. Remembering his