As the only city to have been completely overrun by Team Rocket, Olivine Gym could not escape blame.
But since Leader Tetsuya was already dead, the League, out of respect for the deceased, couldn't publicly hold Olivine Gym too accountable.
However, if Olivine Gym couldn't name a convincing new Gym Leader within a short time, there would undoubtedly be plenty of people scrambling to seize the opportunity and take a bite out of this juicy prize.
Old and cunning as he was, Myron had already realized the crisis facing Olivine Gym before falling unconscious. And the moment he woke and saw Sato, he made his decision without hesitation.
In his eyes, Sato had unlimited potential, he was a very worthy "big tree" to lean on…
Because Sato was young, he wouldn't be like some of the greedy old fogeys within the League, who were corrupt to the core.
And with his pitiful-looking granddaughter Jasmine around, even if Sato truly wanted to "absorb" Olivine Gym, his conscience probably wouldn't allow him to go that far…
Thinking this way, the pain in Myron's lungs from the poison gas actually felt a little more bearable.
'Ahhh… what a clever old fox I am!'
"Myron… Myron?" Sato lightly patted Myron, whose gaze had gone distant, wondering if the poison had messed with his brain.
"Ah! You were saying…" Myron snapped out of his fantasy, his old face blushing with embarrassment.
"Myron, when did you all get here?" Sato didn't mind and simply asked once he confirmed Myron was fine.
Myron had just woken up and didn't know either. His eldest grandson, still stunned from the earlier scolding, sat dazed on the ground without a word.
"W-we had just finished breakfast when Team Rocket began attacking the city. Not long after, Grandpa led us into hiding down here. It's five in the afternoon now, so it's been almost ten hours."
Jasmine checked her watch as she spoke, timid but clear and organized.
But after hearing that, Sato couldn't help but frown. 'Nearly ten hours and no reinforcement from the League…?'
More importantly: What about the Elite Four in charge of Olivine City?
Where was he?
"Since you entered this place, none of you have left at all?" Sato asked again.
Everyone shook their heads in unison.
"Leader Sato… because Olivine is a port city, most of the city's defensive forces were stationed at the southern harbor. The Gym was relatively unguarded."
As Myron spoke, his eyes were full of shame and regret.
Shame: for holding the Gym position yet coveting the massive profits of the port. The defenses were placed to protect the family's interests, not the city's.
Regret: for spoiling his son Tetsuya, cleaning up after him time and time again, even giving him the title of Gym Leader.
And Team Rocket had clearly known that Tetsuya was all show and no substance. Naturally, they saw him as the perfect weak point to strike and deal a heavy blow to the League.
When someone doesn't live up to their role, it can end up consuming them.
Tetsuya lacked the virtue for his title and was devoured by it. And the price… was his life.
No parent should have to bury their child[1]… and Myron didn't even have time to grieve. Both before and after losing consciousness, all he could think about was how to preserve his family.
Even now, recalling his son's death, Myron only let the sadness linger for a moment before continuing his questions.
"The southern harbor should be the fiercest battlefield… Do you know what's happening there?"
"Near the lighthouse, right?" Sato recalled his earlier scan of Olivine City and confirmed.
"Yes, that's the place!"
"The battle there is already over. It was nearly mutual destruction. I haven't had time to check elsewhere, so I'm not sure about the rest."
"Sigh… Just having survivors is already a blessing. Leader Sato, I'll ask you to escort me out. Olivine City is still ours to defend."
Sato nodded. He had only come to assist; he could help for a moment, but not forever.
Myron looked around the room. Aside from the elderly and children, the rest were mostly weak trainees, like Jasmine… like his eldest grandson.
"Those of you… willing to go out and fight, come to me," Myron said in a calm tone, with no emotion betrayed.
Most of the Gym trainees stepped forward without hesitation. They had already escaped once and didn't want to do it again.
But Myron couldn't bring himself to feel pleased. His grandson, in whom he'd placed high hopes, stood frozen in place, uncertain.
"Grandpa… I'm not strong enough… Even if I go out, I'd just slow everyone down… right?" Myron's grandson muttered, head lowered, voice fading with every word.
Myron closed his eyes, taking a moment to steady his emotions. This had been his grandson's last chance. If he had stepped forward without hesitation, there would still have been hope! Myron would've given everything to help train him again.
But clearly, the boy hadn't even realized what his cowardice had cost him.
"…Then stay here. The rest of you, come with me."
When he opened his eyes again, there was no longer disappointment in them. He turned and solemnly nodded at Sato, then slowly walked toward one of the walls and pressed a hidden switch.
"Grandpa, let me help you," Jasmine rushed over, seeing that Myron hadn't fully recovered.
"It's nothing. I'm not that old yet."
"Grandpa's not old… just sick for now. And when someone's sick, they need to be cared for," Jasmine insisted, stubborn and sincere.
Myron patted her hand and didn't push her away. For the first time since waking up, he showed a smile.
At that moment, the door to the secret room slowly opened. Myron led the way out. The Gym trainees followed close behind.
Those who stayed behind in the room silently watched them go, hoping the fighting would end soon.
---
Before long, the group returned to the surface and saw the destroyed Olivine Gym. Even Myron couldn't help but tear up.
This place… was their home, after all.
"Myron, where to first?"
"These kids aren't ready yet. Since you said the harbor battle's over, let's regroup there first?"
Myron still preferred caution. He didn't want the last hope of the family to meet with misfortune.
"Then we'll regroup first. Gengar!"
"Gen~"
Gengar appeared and used Spatial Barrier to lift everyone into the air. Amid cries of surprise, they vanished from the ruins of Olivine Gym.
Carrying so many people naturally made Gengar slower than Sharpedo, but even so, in just half an hour, they reached the southern harbor near the lighthouse.
Once they landed safely, Joseph and a group of lightly injured Trainers quickly came to greet them.
Everyone brightened at the sight of Myron and began reporting the current situation.
Joseph, standing among them, gave Sato a reassuring look, signaling that nothing else had happened while he was away.
With Myron here, organizing the follow-up relief would no longer fall on Sato's shoulders. He could now focus on being the heavy-hitting fighter.
Joseph, on the other hand, had no time to rest. Once he confirmed Sato was fine, he immediately turned back and resumed his healing duties.
[1] Theoden…