After taking a little time to regroup at the Pokémon Center, Yong left again and headed northeast through Rustboro City.
That was where the Rustboro Gym stood.
He had come to meet Miss Roxanne.
Even after so much time, the Rustboro Gym seemed largely unchanged. Apart from the newly renovated building, what Yong saw looked no different from before.
On the other hand, judging by the Trainers coming and going, Rustboro City seemed to have more challengers than it used to.
The passing Trainers glanced curiously at Yong as he stood outside the Gym, until a young, slightly excited voice rang out beside him.
"H-hello! Excuse me... are you the 'Rock Solid Lord'... Mr. Shiyan Yong?"
Hmm?
Yong snapped out of his thoughts and turned to find two boys standing beside him, both a head shorter than he was. Their youthful faces held a mixture of hope and caution.
He nodded with a smile.
"I'm Yong. You can just call me Big Brother Yong. Are you here to challenge the Rustboro Gym?"
"Yes!"
To his left, a black-haired boy with eyes full of fighting spirit nodded vigorously, waving his clenched fists in excitement.
"Yes! Big Brother Yong! I'm Ayan from Slateport City! I want to be like you, using powerful Rock-type Pokémon to keep getting stronger and winning!"
"My first Pokémon is a Sandshrew! He loves watching your matches too!"
"I... I'm Yamada... from Azalea Town in the Johto Region! Big Brother Yong! My dream is to become a Trainer as strong as you!"
The boy on his right had been nervous at first, but Yong's encouraging gaze gradually gave him the courage to declare his dream aloud!
As the two young boys opened up and chattered away, Yong listened with a smile and endless patience.
As for what