The moment Ryan finished speaking, the waiting staff rushed forward with a standard-issue white coat and thick winter jacket, draping them over Shiro's shoulders.
In an environment where temperatures dropped dozens of degrees below freezing, standing half-exposed to direct a battle was far too dangerous.
Not to mention, Shiro still had to dodge the ice-type Pokémon's attacks. The Circhester Gym Leader had clearly been trying to make things difficult, yet he had endured until now.
The staff member who handed him the clothes glanced at his calm expression. Their eyes carried both admiration and a trace of fear.
Shiro swiftly put on both layers. He didn't want to remain half-naked any longer. If anyone realized he had been shielding himself with psychic power, it would be troublesome.
Behind him, the Darmanitan that had been lying on the ground with its hands clutching its head cracked one eye open. Its gaze darted around restlessly, landing on the people nearby. Though it had taken a beating, its injuries weren't too severe. Still, it had no intention of fighting for that woman again.
As the former Gym Leader's Pokémon, Darmanitan trusted only its previous master, the loud man who had already passed away.
Noticing everyone crowding around Shiro and Melony, Darmanitan slowly pushed itself up, aiming to slip away through the unguarded doors.
But before it could move far, a strange purple figure appeared in front of it, pulling a grotesque face with both claws.
"Hauuunnteeer~"
Haunter grinned playfully at Darmanitan. At the same time, Shiro walked over.
"So you were just playing dead..." he said, one hand in his pocket. His eyes flicked to the unconscious Melony, then narrowed in thought.
Darmanitan's Poké Ball was still with her, which made retrieving it inconvenient. Judging by its demeanor, it wasn't the loyal, die-hard type, so it probably wouldn't lash out. But the risk couldn't be dismissed.
A Pokémon like this... if badly injured and restricted to one move, it could easily enter a berserk state. In that condition, fire would constantly pour from its body, burning everything in sight.
And once that happened, it would attack wildly, without distinguishing friend from foe.
Darmanitan's form change seemed tied to its ability, but this particular one didn't have the Zen Mode trait. Whether it could actually transform was unclear.
How to handle this...
Shiro wanted to get hold of Melony's Poké Balls. Even if he didn't sell them, handing them to Marvin would still be useful.
But right now...
She was surrounded by Macro Cosmos staff, along with a handful of gym personnel.
"The Gym Leader fainted!"
"It must have been the stress, combined with the freezing cold."
"No... she looks poisoned. This doesn't seem like stress."
"Then she froze. Maybe she was already sick before the match."
"..."
The company staff quickly shoved the few gym workers aside, using their numbers to dominate the situation. Then they gave their official conclusion:
"Gym Leader Melony collapsed due to emotional strain and the extreme cold. Since the battle was part of the official Gym Challenge, she forced herself to hold on until she fainted..."
Ryan understood exactly what they were implying. This collapse could very well mean paralysis or even a half-death state. Either way, she was finished. The Circhester Gym would soon need a new leader.
After announcing this, he hurried toward Shiro with his microphone.
By then, Shiro saw staff members lift Melony onto a stretcher. Casually surveying the scene, he reached down and, under the startled gazes of Ryan and the staff, plucked two Poké Balls from her waist.
"Darmanitan hasn't been recalled yet. If it goes berserk, its alternate form could become extremely dangerous." He gestured toward the ice Pokémon, which was forcing a strained grin under Corviknight's watch.
"Oh... so that's the case." Several staff members nodded.
Ryan also gave a knowing nod and signaled for the cameras to pan over.
With that, Shiro wasted no time recalling Darmanitan into its Poké Ball. Then he leaned closer to Ryan.
"Uh..."
Ryan's brow twitched. He could have sworn that after Shiro recalled Darmanitan, he slipped the Poké Ball directly into his own pocket.
And when he had grabbed Poké Balls from Melony earlier... hadn't he taken one extra?
This... well... technically, it wasn't his business.
Seeing Shiro's faint smile with just the hint of suspicion behind it, Ryan swallowed his doubts. He raised his own smile naturally and turned to the camera.
"Ladies and gentlemen, the second challenge of the Circhester Gym has come to an end. Despite countless obstacles and unexpected events, challenger Shiro persevered until the last moment and defeated Gym Leader Melony. Unfortunately, Melony appeared to be unwell today. She is now being sent to Macro Cosmos' headquarters for treatment."
Next, Ryan smoothly shifted into the standard post-battle interview questions.
A short while later, Shiro answered everything with ease. Watching the company staff pack up their equipment and the two hosts hurry out, he realized they were leaving.
Meanwhile, some Gym Trainers pressed themselves against the wall, exchanging uneasy glances.
Please... their Gym Leader had just been carried away on a stretcher!
But none of them dared to step forward.
Even Gordie had nearly frozen to death. Which one of them here had the standing to demand the Gym Leader back?
Besides, that Corviknight was still standing there, and Shiro had yet to leave.
Amid their fearful gazes, he turned, walking out the door with the steel bird at his side.
* * *
Circhester's main street.
Thick snow and ice seemed eternal here, never melting away.
From a distance, the entire street appeared so white that buildings and roads blurred together. Only the Hero's Bath in the town center stood apart, tirelessly spraying steaming hot water. The heavy mist mixed with falling snow, making the air even denser.
On the right side of the street sat a restaurant.
Its thick glass doors were fogged with condensation. Inside, at a table near the entrance, Marvin lay slumped over, sound asleep.
Few customers came at this hour, so the restaurant owner sat idly at the counter, resting his cheek on one hand while watching the television overhead. He paid little attention to the travelers warming themselves inside.
The broadcast showed Shiro's victory interview.
The owner's name was Patrick, a middle-aged man with thinning hair. Watching the Gym Challenge coverage, he couldn't help but sigh and shake his head.
Ever since the old Gym Leader's death, Circhester had grown steadily more desolate. Not only had poor management driven tourists away, but the newly appointed Gym Leader, Melony, had no reputation of her own. Anyone who knew the truth understood she was nothing more than a lucky opportunist.
Who even knew how the previous leader really died?
He was barely gone before she inherited the gym. Then she went so far as to send out a warrant, hunting down his illegitimate son…
On screen, the camera followed the two hosts as they exited the gym.
"Sigh..." Patrick let out another weary breath.
So the battle was already over…
This Gym Challenge battle had ended far too quickly.
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