Nosepass fainted.
As Roxanne expected, Nosepass was no match for Tyranitar. Natsui had already used Eevee to scout its abilities, so the outcome was never in doubt.
Still, Tyranitar's victory wasn't effortless—Nosepass managed to put up a fight. The battle wasn't meaningless.
Applause rang out from the sidelines as Roxanne's students cheered Natsui's victory.
It felt slightly disloyal to their teacher, but they couldn't help themselves—today's challenger was simply too popular.
Roxanne glanced at her students with a helpless smile, recalled her Nosepass, then walked over to Natsui.
She held out a tan badge and handed it to him.
"Congratulations on your victory. This is the Stone Badge—proof that you've defeated me. Please accept it."
Natsui thanked her and took the badge. Misty, ever curious, squeezed in beside him to examine the Hoenn gym badge.
The Stone Badge, shaped like two overlapping triangular minerals, had a unique design. Like most Hoenn badges, its gradient colors made it, in Natsui's opinion, more beautiful and intricate than those from Johto or Kanto.
He placed the badge in his badge case before slipping it back into his backpack.
The badge case had been a gift from Nurse Joy at the Oldale Town Pokémon Center when he'd first registered for the League. Though plain, placing the Stone Badge inside marked Natsui's first real step toward the Ever Grande Conference.
A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Catching his first Pokémon and earning his first badge was the perfect beginning.
With his business concluded, Natsui announced it was time to leave.
Roxanne and her students warmly invited them to stay for lunch and share more stories, but Natsui politely declined.
With Erika having just left, Natsui wasn't in the mood. All the recent travel had cost him precious time, and knowing Ash would arrive in Hoenn soon made him feel even more urgent.
He couldn't help it—Ash was improving so rapidly. Natsui had to keep pushing himself to stay ahead.
Leaving the Rustboro Gym, Natsui and Misty headed out of the city.
Their destination was Lavaridge Town, northeast and surrounded by mountains. Apart from the Lavaridge Gym—the closest after Petalburg—it was also famous for hot springs said to relieve muscle soreness and help travelers.
They traveled north.
As they walked, the wide road narrowed to a small path, then a winding gravel trail. By noon, ready to rest, they reached the base of a sprawling mountain range.
Looking into the distance, they saw countless tall, rocky mountains stretching as far as the eye could see.
"Sigh, looks like we have to climb mountains again..."
They exchanged glances and shook their heads, then sat down to rest on a rock beneath a large tree.
They drank water, ate their packed lunches, and gazed at the endless mountains, lamenting the effort ahead. Just then, an old man in a straw hat and bamboo basket appeared, looking relaxed.
Seeing him, Misty's eyes lit up. She walked over with a bright smile.
"Grandpa," she asked in her sweetest voice, "do you know if there's a shortcut nearby to get through these mountains?"
She clearly wanted to avoid mountain climbing. Despite her claim of being the 'World's #1 Beauty,' Misty was still a delicate girl with fair, slender limbs. Who would want to hike if they didn't have to?
The old man looked to be in his seventies. He glanced down at the pretty girl, her smile infectious. He nodded without hesitation and pointed to a hidden cave entrance nearby.
"Of course. See that cave entrance? That's a shortcut," the old man said. He looked at them kindly and added, "You two look like trainers, right? Be very careful after you enter. Don't get lost, and don't chase after any Pokémon. The inside is a maze—it's easy to get turned around, and once you're lost, it's hard to get out. So don't wander off. Just follow the main path and you'll get through safely!"
"Just follow the main path?" Misty repeated, then nodded. "Don't worry, we'll be careful!"
After thanking the old man, Misty returned to Natsui's side, raising her eyebrows at him smugly.
Natsui knew she was pleased about dodging the climb and just smiled helplessly.
A shortcut truly was a blessing—it beat trekking over mountains in the wind and sun.
After resting enough, the two set off again.
Up close, what had seemed a small hole was actually an entrance five or six meters high. Inside, the ground was paved with flat gravel, clearly maintained and often used.
This reassured them. It really was a shortcut.
Upon entering the cave, they felt the temperature drop. Fortunately, they'd put on thicker clothes beforehand and weren't too affected.
Although they just needed to follow the main path, Natsui released his Eevee and Torchic just in case.
As they ventured deeper, visibility decreased. They had to turn their flashlights to the brightest setting just to see the path.
Fortunately, this wasn't a cavern or an ice cave like those Natsui had traversed before, so walking wasn't difficult. Still, a damp wind whistled from somewhere, seeping into their collars and cuffs.
Natsui tightened his clothes and scanned the area with his flashlight.
Just as the old man had said, it was a maze of passages. Aside from the main path, countless forks branched off to the sides. Some openings were large, but most were so narrow that only small Pokémon could fit through.
Who knew how the first person to find this shortcut ever managed to get out.
He turned to Misty. "By the way, did that old man mention what this shortcut is called?"
Misty thought for a moment, then nodded. "I remember now... I think he said it was called Meteor Falls!"
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