Pokémon: Raising Abandoned Pokémon into Legends

Chapter 17: Heading to Pewter City

Rina also noticed Officer Jenny and called out to the crowd.

Everyone turned to look. When they saw Officer Jenny approaching with a handcuffed man in a Team Rocket uniform, their pupils contracted.

"Could it actually be true?" Paul said hesitantly.

No sooner had he spoken than Rina shot back: "It is true!"

Before long, Officer Jenny led the crew-cut Kishi through the crowd and came up to Rio, stating her purpose directly:

"Rio, there’s something I need to verify with you."

"Go ahead," Rio replied politely.

"Just now, when I took this guy back to the station, I asked him for the details of the battle. He told me that your Charmeleon first defeated Houndour and evolved, then defeated Arbok, and finally used Sunny Day. With the combined boost of Sunny Day and Solar Power, it took down the mid-level Team Rocket Officer’s Golbat in just two moves."

"This battle sequence seems a bit unbelievable to me, so I wanted to ask you—is it true?"

Before Rio could answer, the crowd erupted in murmurs. Rina’s earlier account hadn’t mentioned Sunny Day at all. If this was true, it was even more incredible. A Charmeleon with the Solar Power Ability that could also use a weather-controlling move like Sunny Day? That was practically unheard of.

"Yes, that’s correct," Rio said calmly.

"Correct?" Officer Jenny’s pupils contracted. She hadn’t expected him to confirm it so readily. She’d thought the Team Rocket member was just making things up.

She spoke again: "Could you have Charmeleon use Sunny Day again?"

This time, before Rio could even respond, Charmeleon stepped forward and planted itself in front of Officer Jenny, eager to demonstrate its ability and prove the doubters wrong.

"Go ahead, Charmeleon—use Sunny Day." Seeing how eager Charmeleon was, Rio smiled and gave the command.

"Rua~" Charmeleon let out an excited cry to the sky.

Everyone looked up.

In just a few moments, the overcast sky, previously blocked by clouds, revealed a blazing sun. Scorching sunlight fell upon them all.

They were all stunned and amazed.

"This... this is real."

Officer Jenny looked down at Charmeleon, which was practically radiating smugness—its expression screaming "I’m awesome, praise me, praise me!"—and her face was filled with awe.

A few minutes later, having gotten her answer, Officer Jenny left with Kishi in tow.

After she was gone, Rina crossed her arms and swept her gaze across everyone present.

"Hmph! What do you have to say now? Not only did Officer Jenny come to verify it in person, but Charmeleon demonstrated Sunny Day right here on the spot. Was I lying?"

"Rua~" Charmeleon stood beside her, mimicking her pose.

No one responded. They exchanged awkward glances and lowered their heads in embarrassment.

At this point, Rio changed the subject to ease the tension: "Everyone, I’d like to start a Gym."

But this topic was even more shocking. As soon as he said it, all eyes were on him again.

"Rio, you’re not joking, are you?" Rina looked at him in disbelief.

"No joke—I’m serious." Rio shrugged and smiled. "I’m not starting a Gym for any other reason—just to raise the overall strength of us Lavender Town trainers. Do you all trust my abilities and my guidance?"

The trainers exchanged glances, unsure how to respond.

Rio’s strength had just been confirmed by Officer Jenny. His guidance skills? They’d witnessed those firsthand over the past days—two thousand League coins per session, and people had to fight for a spot. Plus, he’d raised a Charmeleon that knew Sunny Day—how much more proof did they need of his guidance skills?

But joining a Gym and accepting guidance meant essentially becoming Rio’s disciple, which was a bit embarrassing for some.

After a moment, Paul spoke up: "Joining the Gym and getting guidance—that costs money too, right? How much?"

"Ten thousand League coins a month," Rio said. "During that month, if you have any questions about training your Pokémon, I’ll answer them all without holding back."

Everyone exchanged glances again.

Rio continued: "But since all of you came to Route 8 to help me today, the enrollment fee is only five thousand. And if any of you ever beats me, even though I can’t issue League-recognized badges, I’ll refund all your tuition fees."

At that, Paul immediately responded: "If that’s the case, I’m in. Before, I paid two thousand for a single session—now five thousand for a whole month of guidance. Joining the Gym is clearly the better deal. Who cares about face?"

Rio’s mouth twitched. He felt like Paul sounded like a plant—except he hadn’t asked him to say any of that.

But to Rio’s surprise, a few seconds later, others started chiming in one after another.

"Then I’m joining the Gym too."

"Gym Leader, where’s the Gym located?"

"Gym Leader, can I pay now?"

Faced with their enthusiasm, Rio smiled. He hadn’t expected it to go this smoothly. He supposed he should thank Officer Jenny for coming to verify things—it had further cemented his credibility in their eyes.

"Everyone, the Gym’s location hasn’t been decided yet, but you can pay the enrollment fee today and start receiving guidance right away."

Rio pulled out his phone to seize the moment, collecting payments while addressing each trainer’s Pokémon questions one by one.

This kept him busy for nearly two hours before he finally took a break. Even then, he didn’t rest—he went straight back to directing Charmeleon’s proficiency training.

After all, his plan to challenge a Gym and earn a badge was no joke. Charmeleon was currently Level 23, with its skill proficiency cap at 42%. Once he maxed that out, he’d take Charmeleon to Pewter City and challenge the Gym.

...

Ten days later.

In front of the Pokémon House, by a truck, Mr. Fuji was entrusting Rio with a task.

"Rio, when you get to Pewter City, find the local Nurse Joy. She’ll hand over the Pokémon that need rescuing to you."

"Got it, Grandpa Fuji. I’ll make sure the abandoned Pokémon are safely brought back to the Pokémon House," Rio nodded in agreement.

Yesterday, when Mr. Fuji learned that Rio was planning to challenge the Pewter City Gym, he’d given him this assignment: on his way back, pick up three abandoned Pokémon from the Pewter City Pokémon Center.

"Grandpa Fuji, we’ll be off now."

After a bit more chatting, Rio said goodbye to Mr. Fuji and climbed into the passenger seat of the truck. The driver was another volunteer from the Pokémon House.

"Safe travels," Mr. Fuji waved warmly as he watched the truck drive off.

But as the vehicle pulled away, he noticed a tarp at the back flutter up briefly.

"Hm?" Mr. Fuji blinked.

He could have sworn he’d seen something that looked like a pair of rabbit-like ears peeking out. But the ears disappeared again just as quickly.

"I really am getting old—my eyes are playing tricks on me." Mr. Fuji shook his head and turned back toward the Pokémon House.

But no sooner had he stepped inside than his granddaughter asked him: "Grandpa, have you seen Munchlax? It’s been missing since breakfast."

"Don’t worry—that kid probably just found another spot to nap. It’ll be back when it’s mealtime."