After the Gym Leaders were chosen, the next issue was selecting the sites for the Gyms.
The Unova region has no shortage of cities: at one extreme lies the bustling, densely populated metropolis of Castelia City; at the other, tiny villages such as remote Lacunosa Town.
A Gym's location must be chosen not only for the city's size, but also for its geographic position and overall suitability.
Alfred spread a map of the Kingdom of Eindoak across the long wooden table; every settlement in Unova was clearly marked.
"Your Majesty, these are all the towns in the kingdom. Aside from a few hamlets scattered in the wilderness that are too small to note, every major settlement has been labeled for you."
"I see." Draconis gave a slight nod, his gaze sweeping slowly across the towns.
Castelia City, Black City, Opelucid City, Nacrene City… Draconis began to ponder. If he were a Trainer from Nuvema Town, what route would be most convenient?
Or if he came from Lacunosa Town, which direction should he choose?
"Mm. The Gyms mustn't cluster together; they should ring the kingdom evenly, north and south. That will make travel easier for Trainers, sparing them needless detours if a sensible route is planned."
With that, Draconis had made up his mind.
Water-type Gym in Castelia City, Normal-type Gym in Striaton City, Rock-type Gym in Nacrene City… With a quill he marked each town and wrote the names of the eight selected Gym Leaders.
Everything was ready.
Draconis handed the map to Alfred. "Notify the Trainer Associations in these places to prepare their Gyms at once."
"Yes, Your Majesty!" Alfred hurried off.
Next, Draconis summoned Christina of the Royal Press Agency.
By now the publicity campaign had been running for some time; people throughout the kingdom had at least some idea of Pokémon and Trainers.
They might not yet accept living alongside Pokémon, but given time Draconis was sure they would feel their power.
"Christina, I want you to open a special column in every regional newspaper to announce our coming plans," Draconis said gravely.
"Eh?!" Christina started. "Your Majesty, what should I do?"
"Starting next year, the capital, Nimbasa City, will host a nationwide Pokémon battle festival at year's end. The strongest victor shall become the kingdom's Champion, and I will personally bestow the honor."
Christina's mouth opened slightly; she quickly grasped his intent.
For Trainers, His Majesty Draconis's personal award meant more than glory—it offered fame, fortune, even status.
Dreamers would flock here in droves.
"But, Your Majesty…" Christina hesitated, unsure how to continue.
Draconis read her thoughts and smiled. "Don't worry; this is simply the most direct way to spread the word."
Here, rank and birth mean nothing; if your strength is great enough, even a former Slave with nothing to his name can rise to the heavens.
Becoming a Trainer would soon be the dream of everyone in the land.
And that would speed the fusion of humans and Pokémon.
"As you command, Your Majesty Draconis!" Christina answered.
Draconis smiled and went on: "Next spring, when the snow melts, every youth who has turned fifteen may go to the nearest Trainer Association, register as a Trainer, and receive a starter Pokémon partner and Poké Ball."
"The Gyms will officially open then. After defeating a Gym Leader, a Trainer earns a Badge. Only those who collect all eight Badges may enter the final festival."
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
Christina committed every word to memory.
She left the castle and, back at the agency, wrote down Draconis's words verbatim for the next edition.
The Royal Workshop's presses ran through the night, and by dawn the newspapers were flown across the kingdom by Pokémon taxi.
Castelia City, Castelia Tavern.
Long before the war ended, men gathered here daily to drink barley beer and swap tall tales.
Since the kingdom's unification, the tavern has added a new ritual—
—reading the newspaper.
Each day the owner buys the latest issue and reads it aloud to his patrons.
Many guests never learned to read; even if they could afford a paper, the words would be meaningless to them.
So they come at the same hour, order a beer, and listen.
Today was no different.
The owner had bought the newest paper; when enough customers arrived, he had a literate waiter read it aloud.
The waiter was a thin, bright-eyed youth whose gaze blazed when he saw the headline.
This is…!
"Derick, quit gawking—we're waiting!" a bearded patron barked.
"Ah, right, sorry!"
Derick began the usual recitation.
"Recently, the legendary Pokémon said to bring rich harvests—Landorus, Tornadus, and Thundurus—set forth from the capital. They will travel the kingdom, bestowing strength upon the land, making soil fertile and crops abundant."
"Legendary Pokémon? Landorus? Sounds incredible!"
"Hard to believe those beasts have such power." Some still preferred the old term.
"Does this mean next year's harvest will be huge?"
"Great—no more empty bellies!"
"Our new king can even command such beasts—amazing!"
The tavern buzzed with excitement.
When the chatter died down, Derick continued.
Most items were everyday tales—Pokémon meeting humans and the help they brought.
For instance, a chef out in the wild meets a Tepig. Tepig is a Pokémon that can breathe fire. With it around, the chef no longer needs to start a fire himself—Tepig happily uses its flames to help cook every meal.
Though these are everyday stories, the listeners are still captivated.
Some can't help but imagine what life would be like if they had a Tepig of their own.
"Hey, Derick, keep reading!" a patron shouted.
Derick nodded. His eyes fell on a brand-new column in the paper, and as he read, a spark of excitement flared inside him.
"Starting next year, Nimbasa City will host a nationwide Pokémon battle festival each November. The ultimate victor—the strongest of all—will be crowned Champion of the realm, and His Majesty Draconis will personally bestow the honor!"
"Champion: the mightiest in the Kingdom of Eindoak. No matter your past or who you are, victory grants you the highest honor beneath the king. Yet strength alone isn't enough—you must truly love Pokémon and strive to grow alongside them."
Derick's voice trembled with excitement as he read the words aloud.
The entire tavern fell silent, every patron's eyes wide.
"What? Champion?"
"Sounds incredible!"
"Is this the same thing those envoys were talking about—Pokémon and Trainers?"
"Hell, if I became Champion, I'd be the top dog under His Majesty!"
Status, glory, fame… the room blazed with longing.
In Eindoak, society had nearly set in stone. Though His Majesty Draconis had abolished slavery, Commoners like them were still worlds apart from the nobility.
But if—if—they could seize this title and receive the king's personal accolade, wouldn't that place them above those very nobles?
At that thought, restless hearts began to stir.
"Derick, how do we enter?" someone blurted.
"The paper says you must first become a Trainer," Derick replied.
"Trainer?" The man blinked, recalling the envoys' speeches.
A Trainer: one who trains Pokémon, grows stronger with them, and shares life at their side.
"So we'd have to catch a Pokémon first?" another asked.
"Not quite—that alone won't do." Derick shook his head. "You must also collect eight Gym Badges. Gyms are scattered across the realm's major cities. Beat each Gym Leader and claim their badge.
Only with all eight badges do you qualify for the festival."
Gasps swept the room.
"That sounds impossible!"
They were laborers and craftsmen, tied to daily wages and family mouths to feed. When would they find time to roam the land? And they could hardly defeat wild Pokémon, let alone capture them.
Derick smiled. "There's more. Next spring, come March, anyone aged fifteen to nineteen may register at the nearest Trainer Association. You'll receive your first Pokémon partner.
The Association will also give you six Poké Balls and a map—free. And with Trainer status, every Pokémon Center's services are yours at no cost!"
"What?" Eyes bulged. There was an age limit?
Then most of them were already too late.
Yet a few faces lit up, voices trembling with hope.
"My brat turns fifteen next year! March, I'm marching him to the Association for his free Pokémon!"
He might be too old, but his kid still had a shot.
Who knew? If the boy became Champion, the whole family would soar.
A chance like this couldn't be missed.
Derick's heart pounded just as hard.
Sixteen years old, he studied at Castelia City's Pokémon School, but poverty forced him to work nights in the tavern to help his family.
If—if he could claim a starter and become a Trainer, could he finally earn enough to give his mother a better life?
Still… Derick glanced lower on the page. "Hold on, there's one more thing."
"What now?"
Every head turned.
"The paper warns: traveling the wilds isn't safe. Beyond the towns lie untrodden regions where countless powerful, dangerous Pokémon roam.
Even with your own Pokémon beside you, there's no guarantee of safety. Before setting out, prepare thoroughly, steel your resolve, and train your partner hard—only strength can protect you."
The excitement in the room cooled as quickly as it had flared.
As the article said, though some Pokémon now lived peacefully with people, the wilderness remained full of threats.
Wild Pokémon attacked humans; death was a real possibility.
"Well, guess I'll stay in town where it's safe," someone sighed. At least life here was secure.
Most patrons were men in their thirties, half their lives spent within city walls. Habit and fear of change held them fast.
Even those tempted weighed risk against reward—and chose the familiar.
Derick, though, had already made a quiet vow.
He would become a Trainer, earn more money, and give his mother a good life.
"Hey, Derick, you're not seriously thinking of heading out there?" a patron asked, curious.
Derick neither confirmed nor denied. "If I plan well, stick to the main roads, and avoid shortcuts, the dangers should be few.
Besides, I'll train my Pokémon rigorously before I leave—only when we're strong enough to protect ourselves."
....
Power Stones PlZZZZ
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