In the end, the incident concluded with Nurse Joy arriving after hearing the news and taking the severely injured Blaziken away.
Sato watched the group leave, then turned his gaze toward the massive crater left on the battlefield. The Night Daze sphere hadn't just injured the two Pokémon, it had also done damage to the field itself.
Sato sent out Cacturne again, and with help from Zoroark, who had recovered most of its stamina, they quickly patched up the ground to make it look at least somewhat presentable.
At the infirmary, Nurse Joy was giving Ryoko a quick rundown of some precautions. From the look of it, Blaziken really was going to be fine.
Once Nurse Joy came out, Sato handed over the Poké Balls for Zoroark and Cacturne as well.
While Chansey took the Poké Balls, Nurse Joy scolded him with a huff, "I already heard what happened. Do you think it's okay to just use incomplete moves like that? Especially ones with uncontrollable power?"
"Yeah, I understand. It won't happen again." When you make a mistake, you admit it. If you're going to take a hit, you stand at attention. Sato's attitude was completely sincere.
Nurse Joy's expression visibly softened. She waved her hand and left quickly with Chansey.
Nurse Joys in Petalburg City were busy. The City saw way too many battles each day, and injured Pokémon were hardly rare.
If Sato hadn't caused such a commotion, there's no way she would've been alerted.
After watching her leave, Sato turned and entered the infirmary. Blaziken had already returned to its normal colors: red where it should be, white where it should be.
"You're here. Blaziken's fine now, no need to worry," Ryoko said as she sat beside the bed, casually striking up a conversation without putting Sato on the spot.
"Yeah, I'm glad to hear that," Sato nodded. The room fell silent for a moment. Off to the side, Joseph and Mark didn't seem to know what to say either.
"…"
A few minutes later, Sato and the others said their goodbyes and gave Ryoko the number of their temporary room, letting her know she could reach them anytime.
The next day at noon, when the three of them went to visit the still-hospitalized Blaziken, it was already up and lively, greeting them energetically.
"Nurse Joy said Blaziken's fine. She just wants it to stay one more day for observation," Ryoko explained as soon as she saw them.
"This is lunch I prepared for you and Blaziken, give it a try," Joseph said with a smile, holding out a thermal lun
After what happened yesterday, Ryoko already knew Joseph was an excellent Pokémon Breeder. So she didn't hesitate and accepted the lunchbox confidently.
Soon, both Ryoko and Blaziken were thoroughly conquered by Joseph's cooking, silently scarfing it down without a word.
Only after Ryoko finished every last grain of rice did she suddenly remember that there were three boys beside her… who had probably been watching the whole time.
"U-uh… I forgot to eat breakfast today. Joseph, your cooking is really amazing!" Ryoko said, her cheeks slightly flushed and her tone brimming with excitement.
"Blaze!" Blaziken, still on the bed, immediately echoed the sentiment.
"Of course it's good. Not just anyone gets to eat my bro Joseph's food," Mark chimed in, goofing off.
Sato ignored him and turned to Ryoko instead. "I forgot to ask earlier. Are you a traveling Trainer too?"
"No, I came to Petalburg City on a mission," Ryoko shook her head, giving Sato a meaningful glance as she answered.
"…A mission?"
---
Today was the grand opening of the Petalburg Gym. Norman had gotten up early to perform one final round of checks and preparations, determined to make sure everything went smoothly.
At 7 a.m., the antique-style doors of the Petalburg Gym were opened. The rows of flower baskets at the entrance immediately caught the attention of passersby.
Even more local Trainers had arrived early at the gym, examining the unique League-certified plaque at the entrance with scrutinizing eyes.
'Why him?'
That was the first thought many local Trainers had when they learned that Norman had been officially recognized by the League and permitted to establish a gym.
So people came: some admiring, some jealous, some doubtful. They all wanted to see just what this Norman was capable of, and whether he was truly worthy of being the Gym Leader of a City.
By 8:30, just half an hour before the official start, Officer Jenny and Nurse Joy from Petalburg City both arrived in succession and offered their congratulations.
At the same time, Sato, Joseph, Mark, and Ryoko entered the Petalburg Gym and blended into the crowd.
They didn't go looking for Norman. At this hour, he was undoubtedly too busy to stop for anyone.
---
At 8:45, the mayors of South and North Petalburg arrived simultaneously and entered the gym.
---
At 8:50, only ten minutes before the ceremony began, Sato once again spotted some familiar figures at the entrance.
The current Hoenn Region Investigator -and future member of the Elite Four-: Phoebe!
The heir to the Devon Corporation and powerful Steel-type Trainer: Steven Stone!
And the reigning Dragon-type Elite Four of the Hoenn Region: Captain Drake!
''A Dragon-type Elite Four! A Dragon-type Elite Four had actually come!''
Just moments before the ceremony began, one of the most fearsome members of the Hoenn Elite Four, Drake, had shown up.
Truthfully, if Sato wanted that kind of spotlight, it wouldn't have been too hard. But his "youngest Gym Leader" title might have overshadowed the event, so he preferred to stay low in the crowd.
And good thing, too. If this had been his public debut and he was overshadowed by so many "big shots," it would've been downright miserable.
Now, all of these powerhouses had come for Norman, and their presence only highlighted him more. The spotlight wouldn't be dimmed; in fact, it made Norman shine even brighter.
The ceremony began!
There were no lengthy speeches. In full view of the crowd, a line of distinguished guests stood on stage, each holding a long red ribbon.
Ribbon-cutting ceremony!
Norman stood in the center.
To his left was the silver-haired, elegant, and icy Steven.
To his right was the shirtless, wild-looking Drake in his captain's coat.
To the far sides stood the mayors, Phoebe the investigator, Nurse Joy, and Officer Jenny… truly a dazzling lineup.
Snap Snap Snap…
The scissors cut down in unison, slicing through the red ribbon with a clean snap.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony was complete.
In the audience, Sato felt a wave of excitement rise in his chest. He wondered… when his own gym opened one day, would he be able to invite such high-profile guests too?
---
The ribbon-cutting was done, but the opening ceremony wasn't over. As the guests stepped off the stage, the staff removed the red carpet, revealing a standard battle arena beneath it.
It was a gym, after all, how could there not be a battle?
"I wonder if the Gym Inspector is present today. Would you be willing to step forth?" Norman called out loudly from atop the battle platform.
'Gym Inspector?'
Sato, Joseph, and Mark glanced at Ryoko. She calmly parted the crowd and, under everyone's astonished gaze, walked up without hesitation.
.
.
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150 pw= extra chap.