[Contact: Dr. Namba]
[Answer] [Hang up]
Giovanni tapped the [Answer] button, placed the earpiece against his ear, and quietly waited for what came next.
"Sir Boss, I found news about the Legendary birds. Also, near the island where I am currently located, there is another legend."
Dr. Namba's voice rang out leisurely.
"Mm. Go on."
Giovanni nodded, signaling Dr. Namba to continue.
"My lord, around the island where I am, there are three unique islands. They are Fire Island, Ice Island, and Lightning Island. Moltres, Articuno, and Zapdos live on those three islands respectively."
Dr. Namba's voice paused, as though he was weighing his words. Only after quite some time did he continue. "The strength of these Legendary birds is much greater than the usual Legendary birds that one has a chance of seeing here and there. From the descriptions given by the local residents, they should be about as strong as battle-legend tier… No, they are definitely stronger than battle-legend tier!"
"What makes you say that?"
Giovanni became interested.
Although Dr. Namba looked rather ordinary, there was no issue with his professional ability.
Since even Dr. Namba was saying they were stronger than battle-legend tier, perhaps there really was something there.
"Well, those Legendary birds on those three islands can affect weather on a global scale. And it is not even an ordinary kind of influence. It has completely reached the level of a disaster!"
Dr. Namba's tone was excited.
These were Pokémon capable of affecting the entire world.
Even first-class legendary Pokémon from various regions could only do something like that when unleashing their full power, right?
No wonder the Kanto region did not have a first-class legendary Pokémon. So it turned out the peak strength of the Legendary birds was this powerful!
Who still needed a first-class legendary Pokémon?
The Legendary birds were enough.
"Besides the Legendary birds, what else?"
Giovanni did not care about the Legendary birds.
This thing was probably just overhyped by the locals.
If the Legendary birds really had that kind of strength, they would have been classified as first-class legendary Pokémon long ago.
Regarding that, Giovanni only smiled and asked whether there was anything more important next.
"There is. Sir Boss, aside from the Legendary birds, there is also something concerning Lugia, the guardian of the sea."
"According to legend, when the Legendary birds grow enraged, Lugia, the guardian of the sea, will awaken from the ocean trench and stop them."
"Lugia, the guardian of the sea… Mm… All right, I understand."
After listening to Dr. Namba's information, Giovanni merely nodded lightly.
As for personally releasing this information?
Mm, that could wait until the recent storm passed.
...
...
On Grey's side, an unexpected visitor arrived.
"Gym Leader Grey, would you welcome this old man inside for a seat?"
Pryce, sitting in a wheelchair, knocked on the door. There was no joy or sorrow in his tone.
Inside the room, Grey frowned slightly, not quite understanding why Pryce would come at this hour.
Still, Pryce was an elder and, for now, had not fallen out with the League. He was still very prestigious.
Thinking that, Grey walked to the door, opened it, and welcomed Pryce inside.
"Senior Pryce, please come in. What brings you to my room today?"
Pryce entered the room and looked around, but he did not answer Grey's question right away.
He closed his eyes to rest for a moment, then slowly opened them and said to Grey, "Gym Leader Grey, may I ask you for a favor? I would like to meet that… partner of yours."
"Partner? Senior Pryce, are you saying you want to meet my Articuno? But it seems to have gone out right now and isn't in its Poké Ball."
Grey shook the Great Ball in his hand.
There was no Pokémon inside.
"No. I did not come here this time to look for Articuno. Rather, I mean that… powerful first-class legendary Pokémon."
Pryce stared at the Timer Ball at Grey's waist.
The Pokémon inside was powerful, and its Ice-type origin was far beyond ordinary Pokémon.
Therefore, the Pokémon inside was no ordinary second-class legendary Pokémon. It had definitely reached the level of a first-class legendary Pokémon.
This was the keen intuition of a trainer who specialized in Ice-type Pokémon.
"This…"
Grey hesitated.
If he sent out Kyurem, it would probably cause unnecessary trouble.
But since Pryce had already spoken, if Grey politely refused, who knew what might happen?
"Gym Leader Grey, I know what you are worried about. Do not worry. I came here only because I wanted to meet it, and I hope I can have a battle with it. With your experience, I believe you should understand what I mean, yes?"
Pryce said this.
Grey stared.
No, what?
Grey's head was full of question marks.
Pryce had suddenly come to his hotel room and said something so vague and unclear.
Grey truly did not understand what he meant.
"Mm…"
Grey was still hesitating.
But the moment that sound came out, Pryce assumed Grey understood his intention.
"Since Gym Leader Grey understands what I mean, then this old man will not force the matter. I was too abrupt today. I hope I can battle that partner of yours tomorrow."
Pryce smiled kindly.
Grey did not understand, but it sounded impressive.
Then…
Snore, snore, snore.
"Swi!" Swinub cried. "I'm here!"
The Swinub that had originally been sleeping on Pryce's shoulder suddenly woke up and leapt straight into Grey's arms.
Compared to Pryce, who had accompanied it for many years, the scent on Grey's body made it want to stay there a little longer.
"Good, good. Be nice."
Grey rubbed Swinub's fur and looked at its squinty eyes, his mind racing.
The current Pryce was mainly the Special version of Pryce, with some elements from the anime and the games mixed in.
Mm…
It was still a little ridiculous.
Grey scratched his head, not knowing when those two would really explode.
Otherwise, they were like landmines. If they only exploded when he was not around, he would still have to rush back later.
"All right, Swinub. Do not bother Gym Leader Grey too much."
Pryce spoke softly.
"Swi." Swinub said, "Okay, I'm coming."
Swinub jumped back.
Pryce held Swinub and left.
After Pryce had completely departed, Sabrina teleported over.
"You should have sensed the aura on Gym Leader Pryce, right?"
Sabrina spoke faintly.
"Mm, I sensed it. The aura on Gym Leader Pryce is very strange. The feeling his Aura gives me is… like a chaotic state."
Grey placed a hand against his chin.
He thought about the feeling Pryce gave him.
"It's a little hard to evaluate, but Gym Leader Pryce's current condition, at least from my perspective, feels like he is standing at a lost crossroads, unable to choose."
Grey's assessment was also a little abstract.
But that was more or less what he meant.
As for what Pryce was truly like, he would only know through tomorrow's battle.
"So what about tonight?"
Sabrina turned her head, her gaze gentle.
"This… Ahem…"
Grey held his waist and prepared to head outside. "Gym Leader Giovanni seems to have suddenly asked me about something. I'll go over and see what's going on…"
"Mm?"
Sabrina locked onto Grey with her psychic power, controlling him in place and making him unable to move.
...
...
At night, there was still some time before the Indigo League Conference began.
Before the Indigo League Conference truly started, the final battle of the Gym Leader Tournament still had to be fought.
Many contestants had already rushed to the venue.
Ash was among them.
"Gym Leader Grey, long time no see!"
When Ash saw Grey walking along the road at night, he hurriedly approached and waved in greeting.
"Oh, isn't this Ash? The Indigo League Conference is about to start, so do your best."
Hearing Ash's greeting, Grey turned around and greeted him back.
"Hehe! I'll definitely win the Indigo League this time! Then I'll have a thrilling battle with you, Gym Leader Grey!"
Ash felt there was already nothing to fear in this Indigo League Conference.
As long as he won the championship, he would be able to battle Gym Leader Grey again.
"Mm… I look forward to your arrival."
Grey really wanted to mention the Masked Royal.
But if he brought up the Masked Royal, Grey was afraid Ash's mood might sink for a while.
Still, the Masked Royal would definitely have to battle.
Sooner or later, news about the Masked Royal would be announced. Whether he said it or not did not really matter.
It was only a matter of speed.
Forget it. He would leave this kid with a little hope to hold on to.
Thinking that, Grey lightly patted Ash on the head and said, "Ash, there are a lot of strong trainers in this Indigo League Conference. Your strength is indeed pretty good. Still, don't get too proud or complacent. Who knows, you might really win the conference."
"Mm-hmm! I'll definitely do my best! Gym Leader Grey, just wait for me!"
Ash looked as if he had been injected with adrenaline. After saying goodbye to Grey, he left.
"Phew, that kid is way too passionate. Mm, but that's also a good thing."
Grey watched Ash's departing back, then picked up his phone to see whether anyone had sent him a message.
And as it turned out, someone really had.
Caitlin had sent him a message.
However, since his phone had been on silent just now, he had not heard it.
[Caitlin: There have been fewer and fewer League matters lately. Hehe, when are you coming to Unova to see me?]
[Dojo Annihilape: I'll see. The Indigo League Conference is about to start soon too, so I estimate it'll still take about a month and a half?]
[Dojo Annihilape: You know Steven contacted me before too. I still need to make a trip to the Hoenn region. So I don't have much time to come see you lately.]
[Caitlin: Mm-hmm, I know. When you have time, you definitely have to come see me.]
[Dojo Annihilape: Mm, once I have time later, I'll definitely go see you right away. For now, just focus on handling League matters properly. Do your best.]
[Caitlin: Yay, then it's settled. It should be past midnight over there already, right? Then I won't bother you anymore. Good night.]
[Dojo Annihilape: Good night.]
After sending the messages, Grey was also ready to go back and sleep.
...
...
The finals lineup had already been released yesterday afternoon.
It was Pryce versus Grey.
Although Gym Leader Koga had the strength of an Elite Four member, he still had no advantage at all when battling a powerhouse like Pryce.
Even his proud "Poison, Substitute, Protect" tactic had been crushed.
"Ladies and gentlemen! Welcome to the finals of the Gym Leader Tournament! I am your host, Darknight. Everyone should already be familiar with the three beside me as well. They are Guli TV, Slowking, and PokéFan DP!"
"Today's finals will be hosted by the four of us together. We hope everyone enjoys our commentary!"
The finals would be hosted by the four of them together.
There were twelve Pokémon in total, with each person responsible for four of them. It was fairly easy.
The only question was whether they would have a chance to see all twelve Pokémon.
"All right, it is still time for our welcome segment! I believe everyone already knows who today's finalists are, yes? They are Gym Leader Grey and Gym Leader Pryce! Let us welcome their arrival with the warmest applause!"
"Grey! Grey! Grey!"
"Pryce! Pryce! Pryce!"
The audience cheered.
Both contestants entered the field.
There was no pre-match trash talk.
The two looked at each other and directly sent out their respective Pokémon.
Grey's was naturally a Timer Ball.
The instant the Timer Ball hit the ground, an extreme cold aura erupted with a roar.
Kyurem's ferocious dragon head appeared within the icy mist, and its cold pressure made the entire audience suck in a breath.
[Holy crap, isn't that Kyurem, the legendary Pokémon of the Unova region? How did Gym Leader Grey catch that too?]
[If you ask me, the Unova region really is free and open. They even let a first-class legendary Pokémon get caught by a Gym Leader from Kanto. Truly this: thumbs-up.jpg]
[Any Unova netizens want to comment on your thoughts?]
[As you all know, I have always been from Kanto.]
[I can't hold it together.]
Many netizens who had come to joke around immediately cut ties with Unova.
Of course, it was all just a little joke.
The focus returned to the tournament venue.
"Gym Leader Grey, thank you for being willing to broaden this old man's horizons and let me personally see an Ice-type first-class legendary Pokémon."
Pryce looked at the Kyurem that had taken the field, and his cloudy eyes suddenly brightened.
"In today's battle, I will only use two Pokémon. If Gym Leader Grey defeats them, then this old man will also surrender on his own."
Pryce was the type who specialized in a few signature Pokémon.
His Delibird and Swinub were powerful.
However, the other Pokémon in his main team seemed somewhat lacking by comparison.
Therefore, he only wanted to see where the difference between himself and this kind of first-class legendary Pokémon lay.
If the gap was very large, he still needed to temper himself further.
If the gap was not that large…
A thought appeared in Pryce's mind.
But very quickly, he dismissed it.
For now, he should keep his focus on the battle. Matters afterward could wait until afterward.
The battle was about to begin.
The Pokémon Pryce sent out was Swinub.
The Swinub that had just steadied itself lightly shook its round body.
Rock-type energy suddenly erupted.
Many enormous boulders carrying an ancient aura broke out of the ground. With a whistling wind, they shot straight toward Kyurem.
Rock-type Ancient Power!
Pryce and Swinub had accompanied each other for many years.
The two sides had already reached a level where they knew each other's intentions without needing to speak.
Seeing this, Grey also directly activated his Aura and connected with Kyurem.
"Glaciate!"
Kyurem looked down on the incoming boulders.
An extreme cold aura swept across the entire field in an instant.
The whistling Ancient Power was completely frozen in midair, maintaining its flying posture as it hung motionless within the frost.
"To be able to achieve this effect even when the move matchup is unfavorable. As expected of a first-class legendary Pokémon."
Sitting in his wheelchair, Pryce breathed out a puff of cold air, then suddenly shouted, "Icicle Crash!"
"Swi!"
Swinub's pink nose sniffed toward the front, and countless ice pillars rose from the ground, stabbing toward Kyurem.
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