"I've heard about Liberty Garden Island for a long time. They say that as long as you can make it there, something unexpectedly good will happen, right?"
Grey had heard the legends about Liberty Garden Island.
"Yes. The rumor is that Trainers who reach Liberty Garden Island don't just get gold and treasure—they might also encounter things that ordinary Trainers can hardly ever see."
Hearing Grey say that, Burgh nodded. "They say the Mythical Pokémon Victini lives there. But whether it's really true… nobody knows."
He looked toward the distance, as if trying to look back at his hometown.
"That's a massive fortune."
At that, Grey's thoughts gradually became clear.
It was a little different from the version in the games.
In this timeline, Liberty Garden Island was a private island built by a wealthy businessman who poured his entire fortune into it. The island hid countless treasures and opportunities.
That businessman had formed a deep friendship with the Mythical Pokémon Victini during his lifetime, and he settled it on the island to act as its guardian.
At the very end of his life, he made a batch of special tickets—"Liberty Passes"—and scattered them across different places.
Any Trainer holding a Liberty Pass could board a ship at Pier 3 in Castelia City on the new-moon and full-moon nights each month.
But halfway through the voyage, the ship would stop at the edge of the storm belt and place the passengers into specially made lifeboats.
After that, the rest of the journey depended entirely on personal ability.
Those who couldn't break through thunder squalls and towering waves would be turned away by nature itself—even with a ticket in hand.
Only those truly acknowledged by the sea, after enduring every hardship, would be allowed to witness that legendary dream-island.
And anyone who successfully set foot on the island would receive an unexpected gift.
As for what the island's "gift" actually was…
Grey already had an answer.
From piecing together those scattered rumors, the most precious prize wasn't gold or treasure, but the chance to form a bond with the Mythical Pokémon—Victini.
A Mythical Pokémon always shrouded in mystery, yet it remained on the island because of its special bond with that tycoon.
If someone could truly earn its friendship, it would be priceless to any Trainer.
After all, Victini was praised as the "Victory Star"—the Pokémon that represented victory.
Its unique power could give a Trainer a decisive edge.
If it acknowledged you, that meant you'd be holding a key chip that could flip wins and losses in future battles.
Thinking of that, Grey felt that after the Gym Leader challenge matches, he'd definitely have to find a chance to go to the Unova region—and then head to Liberty Garden Island.
Come to think of it…
He had Articuno and Zapdos.
And in the water, he also had a Poliwhirl he could use.
In theory, reaching Liberty Garden Island shouldn't be much of a problem, right?
Grey felt that among Elite Four–level Trainers, his ability to travel long distances was legitimately strong.
He had captured two Legendary Pokémon, and both were bird Pokémon—so in terms of flying, he had a massive advantage.
A mere storm, that was all.
There was a saying for this kind of thing: if you can't cross the storm, there's no point inviting you.
A Trainer like him already had both the "entry ticket" and the method.
Hopefully, he'd make it to Liberty Garden Island.
...
...
"Gym Leader Grey, then I'll have my Leavanny start weaving the scarf."
Burgh sent out his Leavanny. After asking Grey a few more details, it finally began to weave in earnest.
"Alright. Thanks for the trouble."
After saying that, Grey stared at the ticket in his hand, lost in thought.
"Mio~" (That scent feels so familiar. There's a kind of power on it called victory~)
The little Riolu walked over and sniffed the Liberty Pass, looking surprised.
Being able to transmit its own power into a ticket like this—among everyone it knew, only that Pokémon who represented victory, Victini, could pull something off like that.
Still…
Even the little Riolu hadn't expected to sense that power on a ticket.
"Come to think of it, you should have a way to cross the sea, right?"
Grey's gaze fell on the little Riolu.
Even if the lightning storms, gales, and tsunamis out there could easily stop his Poliwhirl, Articuno, and Zapdos, with the little Riolu around, they should be able to get across without much trouble.
"Mio?" (What now? You're trying to use me as a tool again, aren't you?)
The little Riolu sensed there was something behind Grey's words.
Sure, it really wanted to see Victini, but that didn't mean it could be "pushed around"!
Just now, it was only feeling a bit nostalgic.
If Grey wanted to freeload…
Yeah, no chance!
"I'm just asking. Do I look like the kind of Trainer who'd squeeze you dry?"
Grey gave a few awkward chuckles. He hadn't expected the little Riolu to be this guarded.
Of course, it had to be guarded.
After getting "scammed" by Grey so many times, it had already taken plenty of losses.
This time, it absolutely couldn't stay that passive!
The little Riolu swore to itself: unless Liberty Garden Island was already within arm's reach, it would never work for Grey for free!
If it was the very last step and Grey needed a final push, fine.
But if Grey wanted to lie back and coast all the way there? Not happening.
"Mio." (We'll see when the time comes.)
The little Riolu didn't lock its answer in.
Who knew—maybe something unexpected would happen then, and Grey would truly need its help.
"Gym Leader Burgh, I've got a question."
After talking with Mew, Grey suddenly realized something felt off. "Does the Unova region really not have a single Elite Four–level person who wants to go to Liberty Garden Island and look for that rumored Pokémon?"
Even if Unova was kind of a mess, the Elite Four's strength wasn't really worse than other regions.
By all logic, once the Unova League learned about Liberty Garden Island, they should've tried sending an Elite Four–level Trainer to investigate.
"About that…"
Burgh rubbed the side of his nose with a finger, looking awkward, and gave a helpless smile.
As Castelia City's Gym Leader, he naturally knew the Unova League's current situation.
Even among the top-tier Elite Four, none of them specialized in ocean flight or had the right kind of Pokémon expertise for it.
So even if they wanted to go, they could only be forced to do nothing.
Liberty Garden Island was practically right there, and they were strong enough.
Yet because they lacked a suitable way to fly across the sea, all they could do was stare at the ocean and sigh.
"I get it. It's fine."
Seeing Burgh's expression, Grey didn't continue. He could already guess the reason.
...
...
Two hours passed in the blink of an eye.
Under Leavanny's weaving, two scarves were completed in full.
After thanking him, Grey set a time with Burgh to send the models down.
Then he went to the hotel to find Sabrina and Caitlin.
Of course, a proper hotel.
Before leaving, Blue called out to Grey again.
"Gym Leader Grey—next time we meet, you have to battle me!"
Blue knew Grey was in a hurry today, so he was talking about next time.
"Alright."
Grey nodded, then left with the little Riolu.
Watching Grey's retreating back,
Blue's eyes gradually lit with fighting spirit.
Sure enough—only a truly talented powerhouse like that could make his blood boil!
//Check out my P@tre0n for 30 extra chapters on all my fanfics //[email protected]/Razeil0810