There were many small villages and towns around Lake Verity, but a Pokémon Center had only been built in Sandgem Town; and that was entirely because a very outstanding Pokémon Professor, Rowan, resided there.
As the senior of Kanto Champion Samuel Oak, Rowan had average talent as a Trainer, but in the field of Pokémon research, he was undoubtedly a major figure.
Thanks to Professor Rowan, Sandgem Town, once unknown and unremarkable, had become one of Sinnoh League's key locations. And a professor capable of establishing an independent laboratory could attract investment just as effectively as any official Gym.
So, after retreating from Lake Verity, Sato and the others went directly to Sandgem Town.
Upon arriving at the Pokémon Center, Sato first transferred five of his Pokémon -including Tyranitar- back to Shadownight Town.
Then he brought over Ariados, Krookodile, Zweilous, Cacturne, and Murkrow, all still in good shape, just in case.
Only after doing this did Sato hand over the injured Zoroark, Gengar, and Ralts to the Joy in Sandgem Town.
Joseph likewise first swapped in Florges and Wigglytuff.
Only Mark stood off to the side openly casting envious, jealous, and resentful glances…
Having a lot of Pokémon came with perks, battle strength in the team could be replenished at any time.
…But all he could do was pitifully hand over all of his Pokémon to Nurse Joy, not forgetting to add, "Miss Joy, please treat mine first. Those two aren't in a hurry."
Joy shot Mark a look full of attitude. "Are you the doctor or am I?"
Mark: (つД`)...
After that, the three finally turned to look at Bertha, who was calmly sipping coffee in the lounge as she waited for them.
"Elite Four Bertha, thank you for your assistance. I'll report everything about the Lake Verity incident truthfully. But before that…"
Sato paused, then looked Bertha straight in the eyes and asked seriously, "What is your stance on the current state of the Sinnoh League?"
Bertha raised an eyebrow, curious and amused. "From what you're saying, you seem quite dissatisfied with our Sinnoh League?"
"What do you think?" Sato didn't bite, throwing the question back again.
Mark, listening to all this from the side, was getting annoyed. 'Can't adults ever talk straight?'
'Isn't it exhausting?'
Bertha glanced at the three of them, visibly worn out, and felt a trace of sympathy. But her expression remained unchanged.
"The Sinnoh League is in the midst of a leadership transition. Naturally, a lot of petty opportunists are scrambling to stir things up. In the end, they're just a bunch of pathetic nobodies."
Her words were forceful and direct. She didn't shy away from acknowledging the League's current issues, but even so, what she said sounded particularly grating to Joseph.
"…A bunch of pathetic nobodies turned Lake Verity into this mess? And it took a Sinnoh Elite Four to finally resolve it?" Joseph's voice wasn't loud, but the resentment in it was unmistakable.
Bertha frowned at Joseph, then looked at Sato, who remained silent. From that, she realized this issue probably needed to be addressed properly.
"It's true that some people from the League were involved in the Lake Verity 'incident'. But as I said, the situation inside is complicated. Sooner or later, I'll make sure every last one of them ends up behind bars!"
Her tone was still firm, and her expression was no longer as gentle as before.
Sato heard what Bertha said and knew the probing had gone far enough.
After all, she was still an Elite Four member. If he kept pushing, even with Drake backing him, it wouldn't end well.
He wouldn't die, but he'd definitely suffer.
With that in mind, Sato immediately changed his tone.
"Elite Four Bertha, you're a close friend of Drake, and since coming to Sinnoh, I've received your help many times. I believe in what you just said, so please accept this."
As he spoke, Sato handed over a hard drive containing the full record of the Lake Verity incident.
"…You recorded everything?"
Bertha was momentarily stunned when she saw the drive. She had thought that a verbal report from Sato would be more than enough. She hadn't expected them to have video footage.
"When we realized this wasn't just any normal situation, we decided to start recording everything. There are some people in there you might find familiar… like those three Trainers who specialize in using the [Pledge Combination Move] with the starter trio."
Sato only mentioned it briefly, yet he saw a gleam flash in Bertha's eyes.
'Was that… excitement?'
Then Bertha seemed to remember something. "And where are those Trainers now? Don't tell me you…"
She didn't finish, but the meaning was clear.
Were they dead?
"They're all tied up near Lake Verity. We've had too much to deal with and didn't have time to manage them. They've only been hungry for a day, they shouldn't be dead. Just send someone to get them," Sato replied casually.
Then, Bertha suddenly curled her lips into a smile, visibly thrilled. "The fact that they're alive makes them even more useful. And with this footage… hehehe…"
The three of them suddenly felt a chill. As expected, for someone to walk alone through Sinnoh and eventually become an Elite Four, Bertha was not someone to be trifled with.
"This can't be recognized publicly, or it'll bring you unnecessary trouble. But I'll personally give you a reward. So, tell me, what do you all want?"
Bertha said this boldly while stowing away the drive.
The three exchanged glances, then spoke up without the slightest hesitation.
"A training manual or a guide for raising Elite Four Ground-type Pokémon."
"Lucario Mega Stone!"
"Gallade Mega Stone!"
"Ahem… other than the training manual Sato asked for, you two need to try again," Bertha said, the corners of her mouth twitching. She looked like she wanted to slap herself.
'Big mouth! Show off! Serves you right!'
Mark and Joseph looked at each other awkwardly. With the way Elite Four Bertha had been talking, they assumed Mega Stones were no big deal for her.
But thinking about it, they didn't really lack anything else. Even items like Energy Crystals or Origin Ore were well-stocked at the Shadownight Gym.
Aside from the elusive Mega Stones, they honestly had no strong demands.
As for asking for a manual like Sato did, Joseph wasn't that focused on maximizing combat power, so he wasn't interested.
And Mark? If he had time to study someone else's manual, he'd rather spend it figuring out how to complete his own team.
"Then… we'll leave it up to you?"
In the end, both Mark and Joseph said that.
Bertha hesitated, but before she could speak, someone slowly walked over to the group.
"The Mega Stones these two young men want… leave that to me."
Everyone turned toward the voice and saw a stern-faced middle-aged man with a full beard in a white lab coat walking toward them.
"Professor Rowan."
"Professor Rowan!" x2
"Rowan!"
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150 PS = First Extra Chap
200 PS = Second Extra Chap
250 PS = Third Extra Chap