As the sun began to set, the participants of the Exploration Competition gradually returned to the starting area, where staff assisted them in tallying their points.
"Roark is back… but what a pity…"
A short figure slowly walked out from the exit. Roark adjusted his glasses, his face full of confidence, drawing sighs from the crowd.
Soon, the scoring was complete: Roark temporarily placed first with a high score of 763.
Compared to past competitions, 763 points was more than enough to secure first place, even breaking the previous records.
…But as long as Mark hadn't returned, that top spot was anything but secure.
Byron clearly had no interest left in the competition results. His son had already performed excellently, but unfortunately, he was up against someone as unreasonable as Mark.
As the deadline approached, Mark finally made it back -right on the edge of the time limit- and immediately drew everyone's attention.
The scoring began. Mark dumped all ten of his Capture Balls onto the table at once.
Under the staff's trembling hands, the golden, sleeping Geodude was finally released.
500 points, guaranteed!
On top of that, none of the other nine captured Pokémon were worth less than 50 points each.
In the end, just from the Pokémon capture category alone, Mark scored 1010 points…
As soon as the total was announced, the entire venue went silent!
Then, as if unaware, Mark pulled out a small pouch and flipped it over.
Clatter clatter clatter…
Dozens of score tokens spilled out onto the table. Among them were two 100 point tokens.
In other words, aside from the one he picked up when he fell at the start, Mark had also found another one.
It had to be noted: there were only three 100 point score tokens in the entire Exploration Competition…
438 points!
Hiss~
The entire audience collectively drew a sharp breath. Just from score tokens alone, he had that many points.
Roark's L… couldn't be called unjust.
In the end, with a total of 1448 points, Mark undoubtedly won first place in the Iron Island Exploration Competition!
And his first-place score was nearly double that of second-place Roark.
As Mark, Roark, and the third-place winner took the stage, Byron felt bitter inside, but still forced a big smile and stepped up to present the awards.
"As I expected of one of the 'three pillars' of Shadownight Gym. As long as you, Mark, enjoyed the event, that's what matters."
Byron said meaningfully, but the title-dazed Mark didn't catch the nuance at all. Beaming from ear to ear, he took the trophy and waved it enthusiastically toward the crowd.
Byron strained to maintain his smile. Seeing Mark like that, it was clear the boy hadn't understood a single hint of what he was trying to say.
The applause from the audience wasn't exactly enthusiastic, but it lingered for quite a while. Mark had won first place through sheer ability. Though the crowd was mostly shocked, they didn't outright reject the result.
A margin of nearly double… even without that golden Shiny Geodude, Mark still would've been the champion.
The title was well deserved, though the runner-up's loss was unfortunate.
Third place: What about me? What about me?
Arceus: You're just a nameless background character. Give up, no one's going to remember you.
----
As the award ceremony ended and the sun sank further, not a single spectator had left the venue.
In fact, as the guest platform was dismantled, the crowd's discussions only grew livelier.
News that Sato and Byron would be holding an exhibition match after the competition had already been leaked by certain people and had spread throughout Canalave City.
Many who had no interest in the Exploration Competition came early to Iron Island just to secure a good spot for the match between the two.
"Would you mind if I sit beside you~?"
Joseph turned his head and found that Nurse Joy had somehow appeared next to him, asking with a full smile.
"Of course not!" Joseph smiled and nodded. The seat wasn't his anyway, and Joy had just been being polite.
"A front row seat this good, and no one was sitting in it. Lucky me~" Nurse Joy said cheerfully.
Joseph blinked, thinking, 'There's no way Canalave Gym didn't reserve a spot for a Joy.'
"Mm, I don't know either… maybe someone bought the ticket and didn't show up," Joseph bluffed casually, certainly not about to bring up what had happened that morning.
"Seems your Leader Sato is about to be in the spotlight again~ Ever since he came to Sinnoh, the whole region's been in an uproar," Joy said with a laugh, clearly aware of what they'd been through.
"It's just a coincidence. Our Leader only agreed because Elite Four Bertha requested it. Otherwise, this kind of match would've been done privately."
Joseph wasn't sure what Joy was getting at, so he simply brought up Bertha as usual.
"I see. I wonder if Leader Sato is fully prepared today. From what I know… Leader Byron is much stronger than he looks!"
"Oh? What makes you say that?" Joseph turned to look at Joy, sensing something in her tone.
"Leader Byron had been searching for a Mega Stone not long ago, but for some reason, the news suddenly stopped coming," Joy's smile didn't change, but the weight of her words was considerable.
"Mega Evolution?" Joseph frowned slightly. Was Joy trying to win favor with them?
But even if she was offering help now, it was already far too late.
"Mega Evolution or not, our Leader won't lose." Joseph collected his thoughts and finally relaxed his brow. He didn't say anything more.
Nurse Joy smiled gently and turned her gaze toward the stage as well. The battle arena had already been set up, and both Sato and Byron had taken their places at opposite command stations.
"What follows now is the traditional exhibition match of the Iron Island Exploration Competition. Leader Byron of Canalave Gym vs Leader Sato of the Shadownight Gym in the Johto Region.
Due to time constraints, today's match will be a 2v2 rotation battle. When both Pokémon on one side lose the ability to battle, the match ends! Any questions?"
"None."
"No problem!"
"Very well. Both sides, send out your battling Pokémon!"
"Krookodile, prepare for battle."
"Steelix, it's up to you!"
Two flashes of red light lit up the field as Krookodile and Steelix appeared simultaneously. Both let out fierce roars, their presence equally intense.
Seeing both sides fully prepared, the referee wasted no time. With a wave of his arm…
"Battle~ START!"
"Krookodile, Sand Tomb."
"Steelix, Iron Tail!"
The commands came simultaneously. Krookodile's tail gave a slight twitch, and three Sand Tombs formed rapidly in a triangular pattern around Steelix.
Meanwhile, the massive Steelix didn't move slowly at all. With a twist of its body, its thick tail whipped straight toward Krookodile.
If such a heavy blow landed, it would likely deal serious damage to Krookodile.