Patrick had lived in Circhester for many years as an ordinary citizen, but he didn't really understand the strategy behind these Pokémon battles. All he ever wanted was for the matches to last a little longer.
The best kind of battle was when both sides fought with passion until their final Pokémon, ending with one decisive strike that left the audience's blood boiling with excitement.
But this one? It had ended far too quickly.
Patrick was not happy.
Especially with that brat, Gordie. Why did every gym challenge involving him end so fast? There was never anything worth watching.
Even Piers, who couldn't control his Pokémon properly yesterday, had managed to hold out against Shiro long enough to send out his third one. But Gordie? His very first Pokémon wasn't even in trouble yet before he collapsed on his own.
Was this supposed to be a Pokémon battle? What kind of nonsense was that?
Patrick shook his head again as the camera shifted, showing the snow-covered street outside.
The two hosts seemed to be searching for something, stopping in the middle of the road with confused looks.
The restaurant owner grew confused as well. Shouldn't the program have cut to another segment by now, either moving on or switching to another gym and challenger?
* * *
On the street outside, Ryan said in a puzzled tone, "According to the schedule, Marvin, the roadblock challenger, should be waiting at the roadside. Could it be he realized Gordie couldn't fight, and left in disappointment? That would be a real shame."
As he spoke, several idle staff members hurried back, rushing toward Shiro, who was just stepping slowly down from the gym's stairs.
Noticing their frantic expressions, he recalled Corviknight into its Poké Ball and asked, "What's wrong? Did something happen?"
They all chimed in at once.
"We were about to film the roadblock battle… with the host doing the interview… The broadcast can't be interrupted."
"But Marvin… Marvin is missing!"
"The two hosts are stalling for time. Do you have any way to find him?"
Marvin is missing?
The boy was just here. He'd even given him a cloak. Could he have gone to look for a warmer place?
Shiro paused for a second, then pulled out his communicator. As long as Marvin still carried his device, he could locate him easily. He couldn't have gone far.
He tapped through the screen, and soon two dots appeared, his own and Marvin's.
"He's right over…" Shiro looked ahead at the hosts still holding their ground for the cameras. Off to their left was a small restaurant, its outline hidden behind snow and mist.
Marvin was less than ten meters away.
He walked briskly past Ryan and Lily, giving them a brief nod. The two hosts quickly wrapped up their current words and followed him toward the white building beside the road.
Under their doubtful gazes, Shiro brushed snow from the door and pushed it open. Warm golden light spilled out, washing over them with a wave of heat.
At the same time, a blast of cold wind carried snowflakes into the little restaurant, making the owner at the counter shiver. He had been sitting with his back turned, watching the television. The broadcast still lingered on the Hero's Bath in the town square before the camera shifted to follow the hosts.
"Huh?"
Patrick scratched at the few curls left on his balding head and turned to see Shiro walking in with a small entourage of staff.
What was this about? Shouldn't they be filming the roadblock challenge right now?
Completely puzzled, he sat there dumbfounded.
Shiro gave him a friendly smile and nod, then stepped forward to tap Marvin on the shoulder.
Despite the icy wind pouring in from the open door, he remained slumped over the table, asleep.
A second tap finally made him stir. His body shivered before he slowly lifted his head, half opening his mouth. When he saw Shiro, he froze for a moment as if trying to recall what he was supposed to be doing.
"Shi… Shiro, why are you... uh?" His voice stuttered, uncertain of what he even wanted to say.
He remembered coming here to rest just for a short while. He had only just fallen asleep. He even set an alarm for an hour later. Pulling out his communicator to check, he found that barely twenty minutes had passed.
Two full 6-on-6 battles, both at Gym-level. It should take at least an hour.
Had Shiro seen that idiot Gordie's match, noticed something was wrong, and come to warn him?
Maybe that old bitch Melony had prepared some dangerous Pokémon.
Yes, that had to be it.
Thinking this, he asked, "Does Gordie have some kind of secret weapon?"
Before Shiro could respond, Ryan squeezed in from the side with two cameramen, both shouldering heavy cameras and locking into position.
Ryan's eyes gleamed with intensity as he gripped the microphone and questioned, "Marvin, may I ask, did you come here to rest because you were disappointed Gordie was unable to continue the battle?"
"Uh…" Marvin blinked at the host, his mind still foggy.
Why were the company's TV people here too? It had just been twenty minutes. Was it really his turn now?
He opened his mouth but no words came. Instinctively, he turned toward Shiro, who gave him a subtle nod. Only then did he look back at Ryan and the cameras and answer firmly, "Yes, that's right."
"Now that Gordie has failed to even reach the roadblock battle, it proves that you are the one truly qualified to participate in the Gym Challenge. Do you find the Circhester Gym's actions puzzling or even disgraceful?" Ryan pressed.
"Yes… yes, that's right." Marvin nodded awkwardly, still not fully catching up.
Ryan smiled with satisfaction and continued, "What do you think of Gordie failing before even sending out his second Pokémon? And what about Gym Leader Melony creating a sudden trial that forced one to fight in subzero temperatures, half naked, against a Gym-level ice Pokémon? Do you think that was appropriate?"
The barrage of questions left Marvin completely stunned.
What? Gordie didn't even get to use his second Pokémon?
Wasn't he fighting his mother? If his own mother let him win and he still lost, what kind of idiot was he? How was that even possible?
And what was this about battling half-naked in the freezing cold? Was this supposed to be performance art?
Marvin glanced at Shiro again, who quickly shook his head.
What did that look mean? Gordie had dug his own grave. It wasn't like he had forced him to strip down and fight an Ice-type Pokémon in the cold.
Seeing the head shake, Marvin scratched the back of his head.
Facing the two cameras pointed straight at him, and maybe because he had just woken up, his eyes looked unusually clear.
"Uh… mm… uh…" Marvin dragged out his words, stalling in hesitation.
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