"You're not going over there yet, Shiro?"
Shae leaned on her cane and tilted her head toward him as he walked out of the inn.
Ryan and the others had already joined the filming crew gathered at the entrance of Hulbury Gym. The company had assigned them today's work in advance.
Still wrapped in his black cloak, Shiro moved at an unhurried pace. He pulled out his communicator, checked the time, and replied, "It's only eight-thirty. I still have half an hour before I appear... plenty of time."
For reasons unknown, whether backstage manipulation by the company or something else, he, who was supposed to be the third challenger of the day, had suddenly been moved up to the very first slot.
At nine o'clock sharp, the Gym Challenge would begin. The program was scheduled to run nonstop until around seven in the evening, when all battles would conclude. The plan was to finish at least two challengers' matches before noon.
* * *
At the same time, about a hundred nautical miles east of Hulbury, a massive bronze-colored cruise ship cut through the waves.
It was none other than the Royal Unova.
Inside the captain's room, Captain Norton stood before the panoramic observation screen. While adjusting the ship's speed, he spoke through his communicator to Professor Rowan.
"Professor, we'll be arriving at Hulbury soon, about three hours from now."
"Good. Push ahead faster," Rowan urged.
Norton hesitated. "So, this 'Professor Corviknight'... who is he, exactly? What does he even look like? And are you sure the Hulbury port is open? Last I recall, it was just a small dock. I doubt it can handle the Royal Unova."
What does he look like? The port? Rowan had no answer, nor did he bother giving one. Instead he pressed, "Don't worry about that. Just head for Hulbury. If the port can't hold you, wait at the closest point offshore. When I say move, you move."
"Uh..." Norton stared out over the endless sea, his head filled with questions. Still, he answered, "Alright... just make it quick on your end."
"Fine, fine. Call me again when you're close."
With that, Rowan hung up.
Norton set the device down, made sure that everything in the room was in order, then rubbed his half-bald head and muttered as he walked out, "What kind of quack professor is this... making me run all over."
* * *
Hulbury.
In front of the gym, Nathan finally finished his long speech with the cameras. Smiling broadly, he gave a slight, effortful bow before heading back inside.
Several cameramen tried to follow him in, but they were stopped by local staff blocking the doorway.
"The gym leader is preparing for the battle. Entry is not allowed at the moment."
"..."
The workers exchanged puzzled glances. Then, with their supervisor urging from behind, they backed away.
In every other gym they had visited, no one had ever been blocked at the door under the excuse of "battle preparations." Yet this time, Macro Cosmos itself had agreed to it…
The cameramen sensed that something felt off, but they kept their thoughts to themselves. They just turned their lenses toward the challengers who had already arrived, along with the town's distinctive seaside scenery.
Within the gym.
In the office behind the leader's room, Nathan wasn't alone. A young woman with long peach-colored hair sat casually on the sofa. Her hair was tied into a large ponytail, and she wore a light brown coat with tight jeans. One leg crossed over the other, she looked perfectly at ease.
"Miss Sonia... is this thing really stable?" Nathan asked uncertainly, pointing at the white-banded wrist device in his hand.
Sonia nodded confidently. "Yes. It's a finished product, tested many times with consistent success. It only lasts for a few minutes, though. It was made to slow energy leakage, so you'll need to end the battle quickly."
"Okay."
Nathan tucked it into his pocket, his smile returning. "May I ask, Oleana... and Professor Magnolia, how are they these days? When the professor came here for research, I happened to meet her once."
"She's doing fine. You don't need to worry about her." Pushing down the glasses on her head, Sonia stood up and made to leave. "Any more questions about the device? If not, I'll be going."
"Well..." The fat on Nathan's face trembled as he requested, "Since it's my first time using it, just in case, I'd prefer if you could be present during the battle... to guide me."
"Of course." Sonia agreed with a nod, walking toward the door.
She reached for the handle, then suddenly paused, turned back, and said, "Oh, one more thing."
"Please, go ahead," Nathan responded with his usual eager smile.
"Your daughter Lina is also one of today's challengers, isn't she? Which Pokémon does she use, and what's their strength?"
"Um..." Nathan's brows twitched ever so slightly, but his smile didn't waver. "I'm not sure what use that would be to you, Miss Sonia. If you'd like, I can call her in now. She trains her team on her own."
Sonia let out a soft chuckle and shook her head. "This is on Chairman Rose and Oleana's orders. We're compiling the challengers' Pokémon data. Normally, this would be registered in advance. It helps with the broadcast and with planning the Champion Cup. Lina's data hasn't been entered yet."
"Heh, yes, yes." Nathan kept nodding at that, but inwardly he didn't believe a word.
Data on challengers' Pokémon? Would Raihan of the Dragon Tamer family ever let his be leaked? If that were true, how had Piers ended up with borrowed Pokémon that didn't obey him?
"It's only because there have been too many incidents of trainers borrowing Pokémon that don't listen that we added this task last minute," Sonia explained. "You can refuse if you want, there's nothing I can do about that. I'll just have to report back to headquarters."
Her eyes narrowed as she studied him. Though he still wore a smile, his head had dipped slightly, showing he was weighing his options.
Either he gave up his daughter's info, or risk the device not functioning as promised. Between her roadblock match and his gym battle with Shiro, which mattered more?
Even if her data was revealed, Lina might not necessarily lose. But the gym had to be protected at all costs.
Nathan made his choice quickly. "Miss Sonia, I remember some of Lina's Pokémon and their strength. It should be enough for your records. Should I write them down or just tell you?"
"Just say them. I'll remember."
A triumphant smile spread across Sonia's face.
**
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